Bone pain assessment in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to descriptively evaluate the symptom of pain and its influence on the quality of life in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis treatment. METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional exploratory, quantitative approach. We evaluated 50 chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis treatment through the Brief Pain Inventory and the Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form. The emotional factors were evaluated by the Toronto Alexithymia and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. RESULTS: The predominant age group was 40 to 60 years. 72% of the patients showed some bone changes and the majority interviewed did not have formal jobs at the time of interview. There was a noticeable increase in the intensity of pain in patients with bone alterations when compared to those without, as well as an increased ambulation impairment. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale showed a slight increase in both parameters in those with bone pain. Regarding the quality of life, physical function and work status were the most affected. There was the absence of alexithymia in most of the interviewees, a positive correlation between pain intensity versus physical function (r=-0.14, p=0.03), physical function x work status (r=-0.28, p=0.04) and a negative correlation between alexithymia versus anxiety (r=0.03, p=0.62) and moderate pain versus overall health (r=0.06, p=0.40). CONCLUSION: We found worse outcomes in hemodialysis patients who presented bone alterations, regardless of the source.