BACKGROUND:

End-stage chronic kidney disease is a severe public health problem due to the poor quality of life of patients on dialysis and the costs associated with renal replacement treatment.

Aim:

To understand the social representations of kidney disease of people on dialysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

In a qualitative study under the post-positivist paradigm, eighteen patients in peritoneal or hemodialysis participated in an in-depth interview. The analysis was performed using content analysis.

Results:

Eight categories were identified: Friends, Health Care Team, Spirituality and Disease, Family, Health Support System, Physical Consequences, Psychosocial Consequences, Self-Care of Continuous Health-Disease.

CONCLUSIONS:

Health care of people on dialysis should take into consideration the experience of kidney disease from the perspective of the patient, including his beliefs and feelings and involving the family, community, and the state.