Assess the illness perception and treatment adherence among patients with end-stage renal disease

Background: Chronic Renal Disease (CRD) complications had a sizeable effect on the patients. This study evaluates illness perception, treatment adherence and clinical outcomes of patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and finds an association with variables. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India during October and November 2017. Data were collected through interviews of each patient separately before hemodialysis. Demographic, clinical variables, identity dimension and control dimension of patients were assessed. Adherence behaviours were measured using ESRD-AQ in four dimensions. Clinical outcome was evaluated based on biochemical parameters. The collected data were analysed by percentage distribution and regression analysis. Results: The study had 120 patients with ESRD with male to female ratio of 2:1 where the majority (35.80%) were in the age group of 51-60. The identity dimension mean (SD) score was 10.80 (1.51). Under the control dimension mean scores were higher in the sub-dimension of emotional representations, consequences and personal control. Among 120 patients, 63 (52.50%) had adherence to dietary restriction. A statistically significant association was observed between timeline with Body Mass Index (BMI) (F3 = 4.81, p = 0.003) and comorbidity (F2 = 2.99, p = 0.022). Conclusions: The higher mean score in the sub-dimensions of emotional representations indicates a higher degree of emotional distress due to low adherence to prescribed medications.