Determining patient activity levels in chronic kidney disease

Aim:\ud This study used the human activity profile to investigate the levels of activity in people with chronic kidney disease in far North Queensland, Australia.\ud \ud Background:\ud People with chronic kidney disease experience reduced levels of fitness and a reduced capacity to engage in regular activity because of a number of illness related factors. Consequently there is an impact on the ability to perform routine activities of daily life. Increasingly the promotion of activity is viewed as an integral component of rehabilitation programs in renal units.\ud \ud Design and methods:\ud A descriptive cross sectional design was used to assess differences in current levels of activity for groups of persons with chronic kidney disease who differed in their renal history and type of renal therapy. Both descriptive data (such as activity levels and breathlessness) as measured by a researcher-administered questionnaire and biochemistry data were collected on 112 people with chronic kidney disease. The study was conducted in 2006.\ud \ud Results:\ud Participants in this study were less active than the general population with women, older or indigenous patients significantly less active. Participants with diabetic nephropathy were significantly the least active. A significant difference between mean activity scores was found for type of renal replacement therapy, with participants receiving haemodialysis being the least active. Additionally, lower levels of albumin were significantly correlated with fewer activities.\ud \ud Conclusion:\ud The human activity profile is a useful indicator of the broad range of physical activities undertaken by people with chronic kidney disease, and that there is a reduced ability to undertake ordinary everyday activities. The broad scope of the human activity profile may make it a valuable assessment tool.\ud \ud Relevance to clinical practice:\ud It is particularly important for nurses to understand the impact of chronic illness on the ability to undertake basic activities of daily life, and the necessity to introduce routine assessment of everyday activities for all renal patients is warranted