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Patients in Haemodialysis Experienced Uraemic Pruritus as a Dual Phenomenon
Author(s) -
Tarp Helene,
BondePetersen Malene,
Finderup Jeanette
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of renal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1755-6686
pISSN - 1755-6678
DOI - 10.1111/jorc.12190
Subject(s) - phenomenon , itching , medicine , danish , qualitative research , health professionals , health care , intensive care medicine , hermeneutic phenomenology , perspective (graphical) , dermatology , lived experience , psychotherapist , psychology , epistemology , economic growth , social science , philosophy , linguistics , sociology , economics , artificial intelligence , computer science
SUMMARY Background Uraemic pruritus (UP) is one of the most frequent symptoms for patients in haemodialysis. Studies show that UP decreases quality of life including sleep. Patients find it difficult to describe the symptoms of UP to healthcare professionals. Objectives To explore how patients in haemodialysis experience the phenomenon of UP. Methods A qualitative phenomenological‐hermeneutic framework was used. Fifteen semi‐structured interviews were undertaken at a Danish university hospital in November 2015. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using Malterud's principles of systematic text condensation. Results Patients gave conflicting descriptions of the phenomenon. Patients experienced UP as a dual phenomenon described as ‘the itch’ and ‘itching’. ‘The itch’ will never disappear and is unmanageable, and ‘itching’ appears intermittently and is possible to prevent and alleviate. Conclusion/Application to practice It is impossible for patients to manage UP on their own but it may be possible to manage it as a dual phenomenon. This knowledge can give both patients and healthcare professionals a new perspective on UP and its symptoms.