Are any of your patients in pain? Yes, pain ! Anywhere from 37% to 50% of patients undergoing hemodialysis experience chronic pain and of those, 82% state that the pain is moderate to severe in intensity!1 When caring for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), do we routinely assess for the presence and degree of pain?

Individuals with CKD suffer with pain in many different ways whether from vascular access, bone disease and muscle aches, dialysis related complications, or some form of neuralgia, among other causes.

Second in our series of Clinical Solutions is an approach to Pain in CKD.

  1. Recognize that pain is real and requires intervention.
  2. Include pain as a vital sign.
  3. Implement pain management strategies.

Recognition of Pain

Pain is a significant issue for people with CKD and impacts quality of life. Read more »