Living with a chronic condition like kidney disease can take a heavy toll on the body. For those using peritoneal dialysis (PD), this physical and mental exhaustion is often called frailty. A review of 29 different studies shows that many patients experience these symptoms, but the numbers vary wildly from one person to the next.
Researchers found that the prevalence of frailty in these patients ranged from 7.3% to 83%. This wide gap suggests that frailty is a complex issue influenced by many different factors. Because the results are so varied, it is hard to say exactly why some patients struggle more than others at this stage.
One major hurdle for doctors today is that there are no assessment tools specifically designed for the unique needs of peritoneal dialysis patients. Current tools may not capture the full picture of a patient's health. Because of this, experts suggest we need better ways to measure and manage frailty to improve care.