Development of a measure for patients preparing to start dialysis and their partners: The Starting Dialysis Questionnaire (SDQ)

C, Moore; A, Wearden; LA, Carter; S, Mitra; SM, Skevington

Abstract

Background
The transition onto dialysis is a stressful time that affects both patients and their partners. Research suggests that psychological and interpersonal characteristics within the couple are related to how well they adapt to dialysis. The aim of this multi-phase, mixed methods study was to develop a measure, the Starting Dialysis Questionnaire (SDQ), that is applicable to both patients and their partners and assesses their own thoughts and feelings about these constructs.

Methods
Data from semi-structured interviews with patients and their partners (n = 22 couples) were analysed using theoretical thematic analysis to identify and define constructs related to quality of life (QOL). Next, items addressing these constructs were derived from the interviews. Then, cognitive interviews were conducted with patients with chronic kidney disease and their partners (n = 5 couples) to assess the face validity and comprehensibility of the items. Lastly, preliminary psychometric properties were evaluated in a sample of patients preparing to start dialysis and their partners (n = 83 couples).

Results
Three themes related to QOL were identified, namely dialysis expectations, accepting dialysis and dyadic relationship characteristics. The cognitive interviews refined the SDQ and established its face validity. Psychometric assessments indicated that overall the items performed well and did not show significant floor or ceiling effects. Good internal consistency was found within the three domains, and items correlated within the domains.

Conclusions
The SDQ is a measure (34 items) that assesses key psychological and interpersonal factors in patients and their partners as they start dialysis. It shows good preliminary psychometric properties; however, a large-scale field trial is needed to establish its validity. Once validated, it could offer a clinically useful tool to assist clinicians in preparing patients and partners for dialysis.

Citation

C, M., A, W., LA, C., S, M., & SM, S. (2020). Development of a measure for patients preparing to start dialysis and their partners: The Starting Dialysis Questionnaire (SDQ). Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 18, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01610-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 7, 2020
• Deposit Date: Aug 24, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 31, 2023
• Journal: Health and quality of life outcomes
• Print ISSN: 1477-7525
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01610-x
• PMID: 33160381