Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
08:50
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
16.9K
Symptom burden in chronic kidney disease; a population based cross sectional study
Sameera Senanayake1, Nalika Gunawardena2, Paba Palihawadana3
1Family Health Bureau, Colombo, Sri Lanka. sjsenanayake@yahoo.com.
BMC Nephrology
|July 12, 2017
Summary
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients experience a high symptom burden, with bone/joint pain being most common. Interventions are crucial to improve symptom management and patient well-being in CKD care.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Public Health
- Symptom Management
Background:
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by significant physical and psychological symptoms.
- Understanding the symptom burden is crucial for managing CKD patient well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the symptom burden and self-perceived severity among Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients in Sri Lanka.
- To identify factors influencing symptom burden in the CKD population.
Main Methods:
- A community-based cross-sectional study involving 1118 CKD patients in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.
- Utilized a locally validated questionnaire assessing 25 symptoms on a 5-point Likert scale.
- Symptom burden score calculated by summing individual symptom severity.
Main Results:
- Bone/joint pain was the most frequently experienced symptom (87.6%).
- Loss of libido was reported as the most severe symptom.
- Symptom burden was significantly predicted by education level, CKD stage V, dialysis status, comorbidities, and employment.
Conclusions:
- CKD patients across all disease stages report a substantial symptom burden.
- Effective symptom management strategies are essential to enhance the quality of life for CKD patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
768
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
768
01:25Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
843
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate for...
843
01:18Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management
455
Nursing management is essential for preventing complications, maintaining stability, and improving patients' quality of life in chronic kidney disease (CKD). By using a structured approach, nurses help slow CKD progression and support effective patient care.1. Comprehensive patient assessmentEffective management begins with nurses reviewing the patient’s medical history, and identifying key risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and nephrotoxic drug use. Nurses assess signs of...
455
01:28Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
508
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...
508
01:28Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration
279
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated from serum creatinine using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula or the chronic kidney disease–epidemiology collaboration (CKD–EPI) equation. Both methods are widely used in clinical practice to assess kidney function and guide treatment decisions.The MDRD equation does not require weight or height measurements and is normalized to the body surface area of 1.73 m², considered the average adult surface area.
279
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
748
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of...
748