Assessing pain levels and quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: End-stage renal disease is a significant global health issue, and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is a vital treatment modality. The study aims to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) and pain levels in PD patients and explore potential influencing factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 involving 76 PD patients at a referral tertiary dialysis center in Palestine. The study evaluated patient demographics, clinical data, laboratory measures, quality of life as assessed by the KDQOL-SF36, and pain levels as determined by the Brief Pain Inventory. Statistical analyses, including multivariate linear regression, were employed to identify relevant associations.

Results: This study included 76 PD disease patients, with 68.4% being under the age of 60 and 53.9% being male. Almost one-third of the participants (34.0%) reported mild to severe pain, and 23.7% reported low to high interference levels. Pain severity was negatively correlated with supplement doses for both vitamin D3 (p = 0.049) and calcium (p < 0.01). Female patients reported higher pain severity (p = 0.001) and interference (p < 0.007) levels. The study revealed relatively higher QoL among our cohort of PD patients compared to previously published findings in similar settings, specifically for HD populations. Factors such as age, comorbid conditions, and duration of dialysis influenced QoL (p < 0.05). Pain severity and interference were negatively correlated with QoL (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the QoL and pain experiences of PD patients in Palestine. It underscores the importance of effective pain management strategies and holistic care to improve QoL in this patient population. Addressing psychological and emotional well-being is vital for optimizing treatment adherence and long-term outcomes.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.