Awareness, Understanding and Treatment Practices when Managing Cachexia in End‐Stage Kidney Disease

Abstract

SUMMARY Background Cachexia is a wasting syndrome found within a range of chronic illnesses/life‐limiting conditions, however awareness and understanding of cachexia amongst renal Health Care Professionals has not been investigated. Objectives To ascertain the awareness, understanding and treatment practices of Health Care Professionals who provide care for people with cachexia and end‐stage renal disease. Methods Health Care Professionals were recruited via the European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association in September 2018. This was an exploratory study using a mixed‐methods approach with those who provide care for patients with end‐stage renal disease and cachexia. An online survey and two focus groups were conducted. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were used to explore current knowledge and practices in renal cachexia. Results A total of 93 participants from 30 countries completed the online survey. Twelve Health Care Professionals agreed to participate in the focus groups. Reduced appetite, weight loss and muscle loss in relation to cachexia were accurately described, but the percentage of weight loss was unknown. The importance of multi‐professional collaboration was recognised, however, the current management of cachexia was wide‐ranging. Quality of life, patient‐clinician communication and specialist support for carers were regarded as vital. Conclusion Timely identification and management of cachexia are needed to improve the quality of life for patients and appropriately support families. In order for these goals to be achieved, there is a need to increase awareness and understanding of cachexia amongst renal nurses.

Validation of the functional assessment of anorexia/cachexia therapy instrument to assess quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients with cachexia

“…Cachexia is an important factor affecting the quality of life of patients on MHD 26 . Many MHD patients suffer from anorexia, PEW, malnutrition, and eventually cachexia.…”

“…T A B L E 1 Demographics and clinical characteristics of MHDtreated patients (n = 299) Cachexia is an important factor affecting the quality of life of patients on MHD. 26 Many MHD patients suffer from anorexia, PEW, malnutrition, and eventually cachexia. At present, few studies have evaluated cachexia in patients with ESKD, and a standard evaluation tool for these patients is lacking.…”

Barriers in Nursing Practice in Cancer Cachexia: A Scoping Review

“…[ 38 ] Despite this, there have been few attempts to provide opportunities for systematic learning about cancer cachexia in any country. Considering that insufficient knowledge and skills may lead to delays in cancer cachexia interventions,[ 39 ] it is necessary to provide more educational opportunities for continuing education in the future.…”

Applicability of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy instrument to assess quality of life in maintenance haemodialysis patients with cachexia

“…Cachexia is an important factor affecting the quality of life of patients on MHD [27] . Many MHD patients suffer from anorexia, PEW, malnutrition, and eventually cachexia.…”