Objective:

To unveil the senses and meanings of conservative treatment in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials and Methods:

A descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach. It was developed in 2017, with a sample of individuals with CKD undergoing conservative treatment. A semi-structured interview was used and the data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results:

25 individuals participated in the study, of which 56 % were female; 52 % belonged to the 60-79-year-old age group; 48 % were white-skinned; 48 % did not complete elementary school; and only 12 % worked. Content analysis revealed two categories: food restriction: anguishes and impacts that affect the daily lives of patients with CKD and the social imaginary and fear related to renal replacement therapy.

Conclusions:

The results revealed that diet and fear about dialysis therapy produce uncertainty, anxiety and insecurity, in addition to a wide and impacting change in people’s lives.

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