DIMENSION-KD Study: Part E New for 2023!

We have recently launched a new survey as part of our DIME-KD study. DIME-KD Part E is open to people living with kidney disease and their “significant others” (i.e. those they live with or are close to). The new survey asks participants about their experiences and the impacts of sleep problems, and also how they use and benefit from natural environments (referred to as “green and blue space” i.e. gardens, parks, woodland, countryside, rivers, lakes, seaside etc).

DIME-KD Part E consists of an online survey, with an additional option of a one-to-one interview with a researcher to explore the topics more in-depth. The study is recruiting in Leicester as well as eight other hospital sites across England. These sites range from inner-city to rural locations, and this will allow for a diverse range of environmental settings which may affect both sleep problems and access to and use of green and blue space.  

The study was designed in response to findings from our previous research and from discussions with people with kidney disease. Many patients have told us that they suffer from sleep problems, and we want to understand the nature of these problems, how they affect day-to-day life, health and well-being, and what might help them to sleep better. During the pandemic, the importance of time spent in the outdoors and especially in the natural environment became very clear for everyone, but especially those with clinical conditions such as kidney disease who may have had to shield and isolate for longer than healthy people.

The DIME-KD Part E study will provide our researchers with a lot of information about these two topics. We aim to use the results to develop ways to help people with kidney disease, their families and friends, and their healthcare staff improve kidney patient health and well-being. We will also use the results to influence health service policy and delivery to focus on what matters most to those whose lives are affected by kidney disease.

You can read more about what else our DIME-KD study entails and the work we have published so far here.

If you are over eighteen and have chronic kidney disease, a kidney transplant or you are receiving dialysis, and you are under the care of a kidney doctor at one of our partner sites, you may receive a letter inviting you and someone close to you to take part. Please contact the study team for more information: dimekd@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.