Patients' and Relatives' Experiences of Peritonitis When Using Peritoneal Dialysis

BACKGROUND: Internationally, increasing numbers of patients are requiring treatment for end-stage kidney disease and greater use of peritoneal dialysis is thus being promoted. However, peritonitis can be a significant problem in this population. It is the leading cause of technique failure in patients using peritoneal dialysis and results in considerable morbidity and mortality. There is a dearth of research exploring patients' and their families' experiences of peritonitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to explore patients' and their families' perspectives and experiences of peritonitis.

DESIGN: An ethnographic study was conducted in 2011 in the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen patients and nine of their relatives were recruited through purposive and convenience sampling.

APPROACH: In-depth interviews were undertaken with patients and their families, who were also observed using peritoneal dialysis in their homes. The data were analysed thematically using Wolcott's (1994) three-stage approach.

RESULTS: This article describes four themes: learning about the risk of peritonitis; measures taken to prevent the infection; how participants monitored continuously for signs and symptoms of the infection; how they then identified and intervened once peritonitis was suspected. Overall, peritonitis was associated with fear and uncertainty, pain and learning from episodes of the infection.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, peritonitis was a distressing experience that participants sought to prevent. However, there was some confusion amongst participants about the signs and symptoms of the infection and further education for patients and their families is thus crucial.