A longitudinal cohort study of symptoms and other concerns among Nigerian people with stages 3-5 chronic kidney diseases: study protocol.

Background: The burden of symptoms and other concerns in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to be high, adversely affecting the quality of life of the growing number of those with this condition in developing countries. In this paper, we describe the protocol of a longitudinal observational study among people living with CKD. The study is developed to assess the bio-psychosocial factors associated with palliative care symptoms and concerns, and pattern of health services usage among Nigerians with stages 3-5 CKD.