Self-cannulation for haemodialysis: patient attributes, clinical correlates and self-cannulation predilection models

Background and objectives: With emerging evidence in support of home haemodialysis (HHD), patient factors which determine uptake of the modality need to be better understood. Self-cannulation (SC) is a major step towards enabling self-care ‘in-centre’ and home HD and remains the foremost barrier to its uptake. Human factors governing this aspect of HD practice are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to better understand self-cannulation preferences and factors which define them in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Design: In this multicentre study, 508 of 535 patients from predialysis (Group A: n=222), in-centre (Group B: n= 213), and home HD (Group C: n= 100) responded to a questionnaire with 3 self-cannulation questions. Simultaneously, data on clinical, cognitive and psychosocial variables were ascertained. The primary outcome measure was ‘perceived ability to self-cannulate AV access’. Predictive models were developed using logistic regression analysis. Results: 36.6% of pre...