Considerations for selecting patient-reported outcome measures for peritoneal dialysis patients: A review of the literature

Patients with kidney failure choosing peritoneal dialysis (PD) as their kidney replacement therapy (KRT) frequently experience high symptom burden and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to their disease process and the requirements of their dialysis regimen. Achieving shared decision making and finding balance for individual patients between maximising therapy and maintaining patients' HRQoL requires optimal assessment, clear communication of patients' priorities and integration of this information into patients’ dialysis regimens to improve the outcomes that are prioritised by patients. Defining the outcomes that are prioritised by patients and their carers is also required to develop a standardised approach to allow for integration of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into patient care. Assessment of HRQoL is best achieved by utilising PROMs; however, multiple PROMs exist and there is currently no consensus from national and international guidelines on a standardised approach to utilising PROMs for patients on PD. The aim of this review is to analyse the literature regarding the use of PROMs for patients on PD to gain a greater understanding of how to guide care and improve patient outcomes.