Patient awareness and initiation of peritoneal dialysis

Nancy G. Kutner, Rebecca Zhang, Yijian Huang, Haimanot Wasse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Few US patients with kidney failure start treatment on peritoneal dialysis (PD) despite its potential survival, quality of life, and cost-saving benefits. We investigated patient awareness of PD and variables associated with PD selection, including dialysis unit ownership and geographic area. Methods: In a cohort study, incident dialysis patients identified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and included in the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) were surveyed from 2005 to 2007 for the USRDS Comprehensive Dialysis Study. Participants reported whether PD had been discussed with them before they started regular treatment for kidney failure, and initial dialysis modality was verified in the USRDS patient registry. Results: The proportion of patients in our study cohort who reported that PD had been discussed with them (61%) was higher than in previous surveys, but only 10.9% of informed patients initiated PD. With patient demographic and clinical characteristics controlled for, the proportion of informed patients who started PD differed substantially across large dialysis organizations. Substantial variation in selection of PD was also evident among patients starting dialysis in the 18 end-stage renal disease Network areas. Conclusions: Despite patients' early awareness of PD as a treatment option, PD selection was low in this national cohort. Factors associated with PD selection merit continued study as CMS seeks to improve quality and cost-effectiveness of kidney patient care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)119-124
Number of pages6
JournalArchives of Internal Medicine
Volume171
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 24 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Patient awareness and initiation of peritoneal dialysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this