Family functionality and social support in Brazilian older people with chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis: a...

End-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires hemodialysis, which carries significant biopsychosocial impact.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family functionality and social support among older individuals undergoing hemodialysis.

This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted at a renal replacement therapy unit located in São Paulo State.

A total of 118 participants aged ≥ 60 years undergoing hemodialysis were interviewed individually using the Family adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve (APGAR), and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale. All ethical principles were duly respected.

Majority of participants were male (69.5%), aged between 60-69 years (50.8%), white ethnicity (63.6%), with a stable partner (54.2%), and had an income of one to three times the minimum wage (55.9%). Regarding the domains of social support, affective support (AS) had the highest mean score (93.44 ± 12.97), whereas informational support (IS) had the lowest (81.69 ± 24.60). Overall, 83.9% reported good family functioning, 9.3% moderate family dysfunction, and 6.8% severe dysfunction. A statistically significant positive correlation with a moderate magnitude was confirmed between APGAR with all support domains. Material support (MS, r = 0.327), AS (r = 0.425), emotional support (ES, r = 0.518), positive social interaction support (PSIS, r = 0.466), and IS (r = 0.421).

Social support was positively associated with family functioning, indicating that patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis who reported better family functioning also perceived higher levels of social support.