Abstract
A socio-anthropological study of qualitative approach that analyzed the tangible and intangible impacts on the illness experience of adult patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and on dialysis treatment. Data were analyzed in the light of thematic analysis and obtained through interviews guided by a semi-structured script together with the technique of drawings elaborated by participants. The results were organized in two topics, showing the impacts resulting from the process of developing kidney disease. This process comprises the repercussions of the discovery, the formal diagnosis and indication of dialysis, the impact of having kidney disease from the continuous treatment and its repercussions (dialysis, the body-machine interface), the progression of the disease and its consequences. The impacts involve tangible and intangible aspects, including weakness and constant pain, a relationship of anger and gratitude with the dialysis machine, marks caused by arteriovenous fistula, comorbidities, depression, iatrogenic, social isolation, among others. The conclusion is that different impacts generated by CRF do not dissociate from its bodily existence and are amplified or mitigated by biographical, social, cultural and economic aspects. Moreover, despite sharing the same diagnosis, each person experiences CRF and its impacts in a singular way.
Key words:
chronic renal failure; impacts; experience of illness