Network analysis of symptom cluster and core symptoms in peritoneal dialysis patients
ZHANG Li
HAN Lingyu
WANG Shuohan
YANG Qi
ZHAO Xinyi
CUI Xin
DONG Mei
Abstract：Objective:To investigate the incidence and severity of symptoms in peritoneal dialysis patients,so as to identify symptom clusters.To construct concurrent symptom networks,to explore core symptoms,so as to provide references for clinical medical staff to formulate targeted symptom management.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 276 peritoneal dialysis patients by using the general information questionnaire and the Dialysis Symptom Index.Symptom clusters were extracted through exploratory factor analysis.The concurrent symptom network was constructed using R language.The central indicators were analyzed.Results:The top 5 compliance rates of symptom incidence among peritoneal dialysis patients were fatigue(72.46%),dry skin(68.12%),dry mouth(63.77%),difficulty falling asleep(62.32%),and pruritus(58.70%).A total of 6 symptom clusters were extracted.The cumulative variance contribution rate was 61.738%.In the symptom network,the intensity of anxiety was the highest,and the close centrality and mediating centrality of fatigue were the highest.Conclusions:Peritoneal dialysis patients were troubled by multiple symptoms.Anxiety was the most important symptom,and fatigue was the core and bridging symptom.Medical staff should conduct comprehensive assessment of the complex symptoms without increasing the treatment burden on patients,and formulate precise and scientific symptom management strategies.
Keywords：peritoneal dialysiscore symptomssymptom clustersymptom managementnetwork analysis
Publication Date：2025-10-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-10-29(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 3462-3467 )