The quality of life and comfort levels of hemodialysis patients with constipation: A descriptive and cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to determine the constipation-related quality of life, bowel habits, and comfort levels of constipated hemodialysis patients. It is known that the prevalence of constipation is high in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and correlational study. The study included 164 hemodialysis patients who were determined to have constipation by examining the constipation statuses of 385 patients based on the Rome-IV criteria. The study was reported according to the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology Declaration. FINDINGS: It was determined that as the constipation-related quality of life of the patients increased, their comfort levels also increased. Constipation-related quality of life increased in parallel with an increasing Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) score and an increasing number of bowel movements. The BSS scores of the patients were found to have a significant positive correlation with the patients' bowel movement frequencies and a significant negative correlation with their constipation frequencies. There was a negative correlation between years of dialysis and bowel movement frequencies. The presence of a previous gastrointestinal system complaint, the presence of an impact of constipation on the patient's dialysis session, and comfort levels were determined to be significant predictors of constipation-related quality of life that explained 26.3% of the total variance in constipation-related quality of life. DISCUSSION: In patients receiving hemodialysis treatment, constipation is an important and frequently encountered problem. Constipation leads to a reduction in quality of life and hemodialysis-related comfort.

Do biochemical parameters and intradialytic symptoms affect post-dialysis recovery time? A prospective, descriptive study.

The recovery time is defined as the time required to recover from the feelings of lassitude and fatigue. The daily activities of patients are affected by dialysis sessions, requiring significant time for patients to return to their routines. This situation implies a lower quality of life for HD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of biochemical parameters and intradialytic symptoms on post-dialysis recovery time in maintenance HD patients. This study was conducted at a private dialysis center during June and August 2019. Data were collected using the "Descriptive Characteristics Form" and the "Dialysis Symptom Index." "STROBE check-list" was used for the report of the study. The study was completed with 86 participants. The median post-dialysis recovery time was 240 min (interquartile range, 120-360 min), and female patients exhibit significantly higher recovery time than male patients. The median BMI was statistically significantly higher in patients whose post-dialysis recovery time was ≥240 min. Additional findings show that the post-dialysis recovery time was shortened by 0.230 times for male patients, while intradialytic hypotension (IDH) prolonged the median post-dialysis recovery time by 3.141 times. Factors underlying the IDH should be determined in order to eradicate the issue. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the number NCT04274556.

Does Adequate Hemodialysis Prevent Symptoms?: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between dialysis adequacy and the incidence of symptoms in subjects treated with HD. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at two HD centers. The data were collected with the 'Descriptive Characteristics Form of the Participants' and the 'Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI)'. The study was reported according to the STROBE Declaration. The study was completed with 120 patients. The most common symptom reported was feeling tired or decreased energy and the least common was difficulty concentrating. No statistically significant relationship was found between DSI results and the Kt/V or urea reduction rate levels used to evaluate dialysis adequacy. Dialysis-related symptoms can also be seen in patients with adequate dialysis levels. It is therefore necessary to query the symptoms experienced by the patients at regular intervals.

Intradialytic hypotension prevalence, influencing factors, and nursing interventions: prospective results of 744 hemodialysis sessions.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate intradialytic hypotension (IDH) prevalence, influencing factors, and nursing interventions in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at a private dialysis center. The patients were followed-up in terms of IDH development based on the European Best Practice Guidelines criteria during six consecutive HD sessions. The study followed the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: A total of 744 hemodialysis sessions of 124 patients were monitored. IDH developed in 51.6% of the patients and the prevalence was 17.60%. The most common nursing interventions were stopping ultrafiltration and isotonic saline solution administration. White blood cell (WBC) (p = 0.017) and creatinine (p = 0.005) values were statistically significantly higher in patients developing IDH. WBC was found to increase IDH development risk 0.796 times (95% CI [0.657-0.996], p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Nursing staff awareness regarding the frequency of IDH in hemodialysis patients and the related symptoms needs to be increased.