Discover, analysis, and interpretation of problems and comparing satisfaction of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients: patients' perspective

Background: End-stage renal disease is an irreversible and progressive loss of kidney function and it can be fatal without hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or kidney transplantation. Hemodialysis is a type of treatment where the patient is connected to a machine through a catheter via veins for twice or three times a week for approximately four hours. Alternatively, peritoneal dialysis is carried out with a plastic catheter insertion into the abdomen through which dialysis fluid (glucose) enters and is taken out. This study aimed to discover, analyze, interpret and compare end-stage renal disease patient's satisfaction with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis with an emphasis on complications and problems that was created during dialysis treatment. Methods: : this study a qualitative exploratory approach was used at Shiraz hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis centers 2017-2018. In these centers there were 345 ESRD patients who were receiving dialysis. A purposeful sample of 35 hemodialysis and 30 peritoneal dialysis patients were interviewed. The data were collected through interview. Each session lasted for 50 minutes. Initially 12 open-ended questions were developed and used to stimulate discussions in sessions. Directed content analysis was used for analyzing the transcribed data. After giving a code to each line or incidence, codes were then compared for similarity and differences, merged together, and categorized. Results: : Themes of Fatigue experience, Insomnia, Wasting time, Travel and leisure time activities limitations, Hypotension, Dissatisfaction and satisfaction with hemodialysis, Peritoneal catheter problems, peritoneal dialysis difficulties and limitations, satisfaction from peritoneal dialysis emerged. Each dialysis method has its own problems. Some problems and limitations were more emphasized on by patients. Conclusion: Each dialysis method has its own problems. Some problems and limitations were more emphasized on by patients.