Integrating Chronic Kidney Disease Patient's Spirituality in their Care: Health Benefits and Research Perspectives

Abstract

Introduction:Patients who suffer from chronic renal disease face problems in many aspects of their life; problems such as physical and social as well as mental such as stress, anxiety, depression. In addition, they exhibit an amount of spiritual needs, which relate and influence the psychological adaptation to the illness.Aim:The aim of this article is to examine evidence from the international literature regarding the possible relation of spirituality and health outcomes, mostly in the complex codex of a chronic and life treathing disease such as CKD.Results:Spirituality is a very debatable issue and the term has no single and widely agreed definition. The key components of spirituality were ‘meaning’, ‘hope’, ‘relatedness/connectedness’, and ‘beliefs/beliefs systems’. Spirituality has been characterized as the quest for meaning in life, mainly through experiences and expressions of mind, in a unique and dynamic process different for each individual. For many individuals spirituality and religion are important aspects of their existence, constituting a source support contribute to wellbeing and coping with life’s daily difficulties.Conclusion:Considering, assessing and addressing chronic kidney disease patient’s spirituality and spiritual needs is necessary and it can have a positive outcome in health related quality of life, mental health and life expectancy.

Assessment of Fatigue in End Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: Prevalence and Associated Factors

“…It is not well known which interventions should focus on either physical fatigue, mental fatigue, or both. The therapeutic relationship between patient and health professionals and the involvement of patients in clinical decision making might help patients to develop coping strategies and self-management techniques ( 43 ). Hence, use of this knowledge by hemodialysis nurses may lead to a better understanding of the factors of fatigue in ESRD, which in turn may lead to a more effective treatment.…”

Black Americans’ Perspectives of Barriers and Facilitators of Community Screening for Kidney Disease

“…A key belief expressed was that people are absolved of the responsibility of self-care, because "God will take care of them." Consideration for the spirituality of patients with CKD should be encouraged because of its direct correlation with health-related quality of life, mental health, and life expectancy (43). Collaboration with community spiritual leaders, especially to endorse rationale for screening participation, is also recommended in programs for black Americans.…”

Confiabilidad Y Validez De Criterio Del Cuestionario Del Sentido De La Vida en Pacientes Chilenos en Hemodiálisis Crónica

“…El análisis correlacional de las dimensiones y de la puntuación global del cuestionario con las variables sociodemográficas, clínica, de bienestar subjetivo y religioso, tienden a evidenciar su validez de criterio: el bienestar espiritual se relaciona significativamente con las variables estado de salud, calidad de vida general y grado de religiosidad, y no muestra correlación con la edad, sexo y tiempo en hemodiálisis. Estos resultados coinciden con los de otras investigaciones (22)(23)(24)(25)(26) . El estudio de validación sobre una muestra de pacientes españoles en hemodiálisis encontró que la espiritualidad se asocia positiva y significativamente con variables de salud percibida, felicidad personal, calidad de vida y religiosidad, y presenta independencia del género, comorbilidad, edad y tiempo en hemodiálisis (12) .…”