Development of a Conceptual Model of Physical Functioning Limitations Experienced by Patients with Late-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study

Limitations in physical functioning are common in patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can greatly affect their lives. Using patient interviews, this study reports experiences associated with physical functioning limitations for patients with late-stage CKD.

A preliminary conceptual model on concepts relevant to physical functioning limitations in patients with CKD was developed using data from a targeted literature review (patients with CKD stages IV–V) and previous interviews (patients with CKD stages IIIa–IIIb). The preliminary conceptual model informed a semi-structured interview guide designed to capture experiences of physical functioning limitations in patients with CKD. Patients with CKD stages IV–V who were not receiving dialysis were interviewed; their responses were used to develop a comprehensive conceptual model summarizing their experiences associated with physical functioning limitations.

A total of 25 patients with CKD stage IV (n = 19) or V (n = 6) were interviewed. Based on patient responses, the reported concepts were grouped into one of six categories: physical functioning limitations/difficulties, behavioural impacts, activity participation restrictions, symptoms attributed to physical functioning limitations, impacts on sleep and emotional functioning impacts related to physical functioning limitations. Twenty-three patients reported concepts associated with physical functioning limitations, most frequently ‘walking up and down stairs’ (83%) and ‘walking distances’ (74%). All 23 patients also reported behavioural impacts, including ‘need to rest/subsequent periods of rest’ (100%) and ‘participation in fewer activities’ (91%). As well as summarizing the reported concepts, the comprehensive conceptual model shows how concepts may relate to one another; for example, challenging symptoms or difficulty completing tasks can lead to changes in patient behaviour such as purposely reducing or avoiding activities.

This study found that patients with late-stage CKD not receiving dialysis who experience physical functioning limitations report a range of impacts on their daily lives. The comprehensive conceptual model summarizes the concepts reported and the relationships between them, providing a holistic understanding of how patients with late-stage CKD are affected by physical functioning limitations.

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