Objective:

To determine the prevalence and severity of symptoms of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 managed conservately, and their association with the comorbidities and functional status.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design was used. Symptom data were collected using the Spanish modified version of Palliative care Outcome Scale-Symptoms Renal. Comorbidity was collected and scored according to the modified Charlson Comorbidity Index. For the evaluation of functional status, the Barthel index was used.

Results:

60 patients were included in this study. More than 50% of patients described weakness, pain, difficulty for sleeping, poor appetite and mouth problems. Diabetes, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease, and tumor, were the main comorbid conditions of these patients. The mean score of Barthel index was 88±14.2. There was no significant correlation between comorbidities and symptoms (p=0.43). There was a significant correlation between symptoms and functional decline (p=0.001).

Conclusions:

Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 experience a high level of symptom burden. Weakness was the most prevalent symptom in this sample population. Symptom burden correlated with functional decline. Further longitudinal studies are needed that analyse the impact of symptoms and their management in this population.

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