Evaluation of Fatigue, Sleep Quality and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

Introduction: Patients receiving hemodialysis treatment for chronic renal failure (CRF) develop various symptoms and experience lifestyle changes. CRF is a progressive disease characterized by irreversible loss of nephrons. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate fatigue, sleep quality and activities of daily living in patients with chronic renal failure. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Sixty-seven CRF patients aged over 18 years who admitted to a private dialysis center for hemodialysis treatment were included. Sociodemographic information was recorded and the 'Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue' was used to evaluate fatigue, the 'Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index' for assessment of sleep quality and the 'Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale' for evaluation of activities of daily living for all patients. All evaluations were conducted by the same investigator before hemodialysis session. Fatigue level assessment was repeated after hemodialysis session. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 software package. Results: Thirty (44.8%) females and 37 (55.2%) males were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the study population was 55.8 ± 15.75 years. 74.6% of the patients had poor sleep quality. The mean fatigue score of the patients was 4.82 ± 2.02 before hemodialysis and 8.79±1.67 after hemodialysis, as assessed by Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue. All participants were independent in activities of daily living. The average of Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale was 17.03±0.57. Conclusion: In line with former studies, fatigue was the most common symptom in the study patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment for chronic renal failure. Additionally, poor sleep quality and reduced performance in the activities of daily living in the study participants are noteworthy. Hemodialysis causes a number of symptoms that patients have to cope with in their daily lives. It is important to guide patients about individualized rehabilitation programs in the treatment of chronic renal failure.