Questionnaire to peritoneal dialysis patients undergoing combined therapy (peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis)

Combined therapy [peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD)] has been used for ultrafiltration failure and inadequacy of dialysis dose in PD patients. To support the transition to, and continuation of, combined therapy, we investigated patient feelings about combined therapy. We performed a questionnaire survey of 23 combined-therapy patients (mean age: 48.9 years; mean PD duration: 67.9 months; mean combined therapy duration: 21.2 months). The questionnaire asked about feelings before and after combined therapy, physical improvements after combined therapy, and the patient's hopes about the method of dialysis therapy in the future. One patient did not answer, and one questionnaire was removed from the analysis owing to invalid responses. Before combined therapy, 15 patients (71.4%) had negative feelings toward combined therapy. After combined therapy, more than half of the patients experienced improvement in edema, general condition, weight control, complexion, and fatigue. Seventeen patients (81.0%) were satisfied with combined therapy, but 15 patients (71.4%) were uncomfortable with HD. For the future, 15 patients (71.4%) wanted to continue combined therapy, and 5 patients (23.8%) hoped to return to PD only. Patients accepted combined therapy because of the physical improvements, but were uncomfortable with HD because of hospital visits and pain from puncture. Before introducing PD, we need to provide accurate information about PD, combined therapy, HD, and the process of dialysis therapy.