Abstract: Objective  This study investigated the current situation of symptom burden and analyzed the factors affecting symptom burden in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.  Methods  A total of 151 PD patients treated from October 2023 to January 2024 were enrolled in this study. Their general data and disease related information were collected. Symptom burden, level of social support and self-efficacy in symptom management were evaluated by the questionnaire surveys of the Chinese version of the dialysis patient symptom burden questionnaire (Dialysis Frequency, Severity, and Symptom Burden Index, DFSSBI), the Social Support Revalued Scale (SSRS), and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Self-Efficacy for Managing Symptoms (PROMIS-SEMSX).   Results  The scores of symptom frequency, severity and distress in PD patients were 16.50±13.70, 13.78±11.65 and 17.44±15.40 respectively. The top five items contributing to symptom burden were dry skin with 4(0,7) points, itching with 3(0,6) points, fatigue with 3(0,5) points, dry mouth with 3(0,5) points, and easily awakened with 0(0,5) points. Correlation analysis showed that patients’ self-efficacy in symptom management was negatively associated with total symptom burden score (r=-0.320, P＜0.001) and the dimensions including symptom frequency (r=-0.315, P＜0.001), symptom severity (r=-0.320, P＜0.001), and the extent of symptom distress (r=-0.326, P＜0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that dialysis duration (β=4.254, P=0.003), number of complications (β=4.406, P=0.006), and symptom management scores (β=-1.108, P＜0.001) were the independent risk factors for symptom burden in PD patients.  Conclusions  Dialysis duration and the number of complications are the objective factors affecting the symptom burden in PD patients. Self-efficacy in symptom management can reduce symptom burden. Therefore, healthcare professionals should focus on the education of self-management knowledge and skills in daily care of PD patients.

Key words: Peritoneal dialysis, Symptom burden, Self-symptom management