title: Symptoms in hemodialysis patients and their relationship with biochemical and demographic parameters.
abstract: Symptoms can markedly influence the hemodialysis patients well-being and quality of life. The aim of this paper is to study the frequency of symptoms at home and how these relate to biochemical and treatment variables. Seventy-three hemodialysis patients were questioned on the absence, occasional presence or daily recurrence (score = 0, 1, 2) of 14 symptoms and a record was made of their biochemical parameters, age, time on treatment and KtIV as a function of each symptom. The following relationships were detected: thirst with high Osm and BUN; asthenia with old age and hypoalbuminemia; insomnia with hypercalcemia; hypersomnia with hypoxemia and hypernatremia; anorexia with hypokalemia; dyspnea with old age, hypernatremia and hypokalemia; dysgeusia with hypoxemia; nausea with alkalemia, hypoxemia and low BUN; vomiting with alkalemia. Pruritus, arthralgia, restless legs syndrome, cramp and tremor showed no relationships. Monitoring acid-base balance and plasma electrolytes could help to alleviate symptoms and ameliorate quality of life of hemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Nephro-Urological Department, P. Cosma Hospital, Camposampiero (Padova), Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Virga
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mastrosimone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amici
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Munaretto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gastaldon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonadonna
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance