Transitioning Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease to Home or In-center Dialysis: Understanding the Experience and Quality of Life for Patients and Their Caregivers

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand the experiences and quality of life of adults with advanced chronic kidney disease who are starting dialysis. It compares patients receiving home dialysis with those receiving in-center dialysis, focusing on how their health-related quality of life and frailty change from before dialysis begins to up to one year afterward. The study also explores the experiences of caregivers during this transition to better understand the impact on both patients and their support networks. Participants are divided into groups based on their chosen dialysis type: home dialysis (including peritoneal or home hemodialysis) or facility-based hemodialysis. The study follows patients and their caregivers over five years across multiple centers, collecting data every three months before and after dialysis starts. Qualitative interviews are conducted with a subset of patients and caregivers to gain deeper insights into their feelings and challenges during the transition. Participants will complete questionnaires assessing quality of life and frailty at several points before and up to 12 months after starting dialysis. Caregiver burden and patient anxiety and depression are also evaluated. Researchers will analyze these measures over time, integrating qualitative interview findings to understand how dialysis modality and changes in health affect patient and caregiver experiences. The total participation period includes follow-ups up to one year after dialysis initiation.

Transitioning to Home or In-center Dialysis