Illness representations in patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis

A sample of patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis participated in a study to explore the relationship between illness perception and quality of life. Illness perception was examined based on the Common-Sense Model of Illness as described by Leventhal. Forty-two participants completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), the Index of Well-being (IWB) and a brief demographic form. All of the subscales of the IPQ-R and the IWB demonstrated adequate reliability (alpha levels > or = .70) except for the treatment control subscale (alpha = .46). More perceived consequences of kidney disease and higher scores on the emotional representation scale were negatively correlated with scores on the IWB. Future research is needed to assess the influence of factors such as coping strategies on illness representations and on well-being. Nephrology nurses are in an optimal position to identify the illness perceptions of patients on chronic hemodialysis and can introduce specific coping mechanisms to enhance overall well-being. As well nephrology nurses can function as part of the overall health care team to identify the resources available to minimize the perceived consequences of chronic kidney disease.