Kidney Older Person Assessment (EDNA) Study Development: Understanding What Matters to Older People Living With Frailty and Chronic Kidney Disease, Their Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals
In the United Kingdom, 3,474 people aged over 65 years old had kidney failure and started some form of kidney replacement in 2020. People aged >65 years starting dialysis have three or more geriatric impairments, including frailty which are often unknown to the treating team. Dialysis can be demanding for older people, especially for those who have other health problems as well and have difficulty managing at home. Dialysis may not improve their quality of life and some research studies suggest that it may not prolong life by many months. Older people with advanced kidney disease (ACKD) therefore have difficult decisions to make about their treatment, including whether to start or return to dialysis or to manage kidney failure with medicines. An approach to care has been implemented in the general population and involves a holistic assessment called ‘comprehensive geriatric assessment’ (CGA). CGA is ‘a multidimensional, multidisciplinary process which identifies medical, social and functional needs, and the development of an integrated/coordinated care plan to meet those needs. It is not yet known how this would benefit older people with ACKD. When examining this very question, it is important to understand what outcomes are important for older people living with ACKD.
Project aims
- Determine if and how comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), or component parts, are implemented in UK kidney units.
- Define a core set of outcomes, through stakeholder engagement, for a study of CGA in the nephrology setting.
The development grant will inform a future program grant application.
Funder: National Institute Health Research Programme Development Grants
Team
Professor Helen Hurst, Co Lead Joint Prof/Clinical Academic Consultant Nurse, University of Salford
Dr Andrew Nixon, Co Lead Consultant Nephrologist Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
Maria Da Silva-Gane, University of Hertfordshire
Dr David Wellsted, University of Hertfordshire
Ros Aird PPI
Alan Hancock PPI
Ivona Baricevic-Jones, Research Manager Donal O’Donaghue Renal Research Centre, Northern Care Aliance NHS Trust