An exploration of the relationship between fatigue and physical functioning in patients with end stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis

Fatigue in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Review

Fatigue surrounding hemodialysis treatments is a common and often debilitating symptom that impacts patients' quality of life. Intradialytic fatigue develops or worsens immediately before hemodialysis and persists through the dialysis treatment. Little is known about associated risk factors or pathophysiology, although it may relate to a classic conditioning response. Postdialysis fatigue (PDF) develops or worsens after hemodialysis and may persist for hours. There is no consensus on how to measure PDF. Estimates for the prevalence of PDF range from 20%-86%, likely due to variation in methods of ascertainment and participant characteristics. Several hypotheses seek to explain the pathophysiology of PDF, including inflammation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, and osmotic and fluid shifts, but none is currently supported by compelling or consistent data. PDF is associated with several clinical factors, including cardiovascular and hemodynamic effects of the dialysis procedure, laboratory abnormalities, depression, and physical inactivity. Clinical trials have reported hypothesis-generating data about the utility of cold dialysate, frequent dialysis, clearance of large middle molecules, treatment of depression, and exercise as potential treatments. Existing studies are often limited by sample size, lack of a control group, observational design, or short intervention duration. Robust studies are needed to establish the pathophysiology and management of this important symptom.

The effect of Reiki on fatigue and comfort in hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVE

This prospective, single-blind, randomized parallel controlled study was conducted to determine the effects of distant Reiki on the fatigue and comfort levels of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) treatment.

METHODS

The study was conducted in a private dialysis center located in one of the metropolises of Turkey between October 2020 and September 2021. Sixty-two patients receiving HD treatment were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 31) and control (n = 31) groups. Distant Reiki was administered to the patients in the intervention group three times a week for four weeks. Distant Reiki sessions were held the night before the patient's hemodialysis day and lasted approximately 36-40 min. The patients in the control group were administered routine treatment under the institutional policy without any further intervention. Data were collected using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). Measurements were performed before Reiki was applied, after Reiki was applied (the first day after the 12th session), and four weeks after the last measurement in order to assess whether Reiki has a long-term effect. The data obtained were assessed using Shapiro Wilk, Repeated Measures, Student's t, Pearson chi-square, Likelihood Ratio chi-square, and Fisher Exact chi-square tests.

RESULTS

The patients in the intervention and control groups were statistically similar in terms of their descriptive characteristics (p>0.05). The intervention group's fatigue score decreased from 5.42 (SD=1.20) to 3.44 (SD=1.00) immediately after the intervention and 3.21 (SD=0.86) four weeks after the intervention. In the control group, these values were 4.50 (SD=1.29), 4.70 (SD=1.22), and 4.65 (SD=1.02), respectively (p<0.05). The general comfort total score of the intervention group increased from 2.86 (SD=0.30) to 3.03 (SD=0.20) immediately after the intervention and 2.98 (SD=0.22) four weeks after the intervention. In the control group, these values were 2.71 (SD=0.33), 2.63 (SD=0.23), and 2.59 (SD=0.30), respectively (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This research has shown that distant Reiki, as one of the non-pharmacological methods, positively affects the fatigue severity and comfort level of patients receiving HD treatment.

A Causal-Pathway Phenotype of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to Hemodialysis in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

BACKGROUND

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with fatigue and physiosomatic symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to delineate the associations between severity of fatigue and physio-somatic symptoms and glomerular filtration rate, inflammatory biomarkers, and Wnt/cateninpathway proteins.

METHODS

The Wnt-pathway related proteins β-catenin, Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), R-spondin- 1, and sclerostin were measured by ELISA technique in 60 ESRD patients and 30 controls. The Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (FF) Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of FF symptoms.

RESULTS

ESRD is characterized by a significant increase in the total FF score, muscle tension, fatigue, sadness, sleep disorders, gastro-intestinal (GI) symptoms, and a flu-like malaise. The total-FF score was significantly correlated with serum levels of urea, creatinine, and copper (positively), and β-catenin, eGFR, hemoglobin, albumin, and zinc (inversely). The total-FF score was associated with the number of total dialysis and weekly dialysis sessions, and these dialysis characteristics were more important in predicting FF scores than eGFR measurements. Partial Least Squares analysis showed that the FF score comprised two factors that are differently associated with biomarkers: a) 43.0% of the variance in fatigue, GI symptoms, muscle tension, sadness, and insomnia is explained by hemoglobin, albumin, zinc, β-catenin, and R-spondin-1; and b) 22.3% of the variance in irritability, concentration and memory impairments by increased copper and cations/chloride ratio, and male sex.

CONCLUSION

ESRD patients show high levels of fatigue and physio-somatic symptoms associated with hemodialysis and mediated by dialysis-induced changes in inflammatory pathways, the Wnt/catenin pathway, and copper.

Validation of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale for Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

The Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS) is a self-administered 10-item tool to measure physical and mental fatigability in older adults. The aim of the current study was to validate the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of PFS (TC-PFS).

METHODS

We recruited 114 community-dwellingolder adults, where 35 were diagnosed with late-life depression (LLD), 26 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 53 were cognitively normal (CN) from a larger community study of older adults. Statistical analyses were done separately for TC-PFS Physical and Mental subscales. Factor analysis was used for reliability, Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency, Pearson's correlation for construct validity, and group comparison for discriminative validity.

RESULTS

Factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure for both the TC-PFS Physical and Mental subscales with high reliability (α = 0.89 and 0.89, respectively). Patients with LLD had the highest PFS scores, with 80.0% and 82.9% classified as having greater physical and mental fatigability. For concurrent validity, we found moderate associations with the vitality and physical functioning subscales of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. For convergent validity, TC-PFS showed moderate association with emotional-related psychometrics, particularly for the Physical subscale in those with LLD. In contrast, TC-PFS Mental subscale showed correlations with cognitive function, particularly in the MCI group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the TC-PFS is a valid instrument to measure perceived physical and mental fatigability in older Taiwanese adults.Clinical implications: Perceived fatigability reflects the underlying physical, mental or cognitive function in older adults with or without depression.

Fatigue Is Not Associated with Phase Angle in Hemodialysis Patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fatigue and phase angle (PA) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with older patients than 18 years diagnosed with CKD undergoing HD. From 160 (58.36±15.05 years) patients, (n=96; 60%) are men. Body mass and height were assessed using a portable scale and stadiometer, followed by body mass index (BMI) calculus. The bioimpedance electrical analysis was performed using the Bodystat QuadScan 4000. The sample size was dichotomized in two groups, using the median of our sample, either normal when PA ≥5.4º, or low when the PA <5.4º. The Chalder fatigue questionnaire was used the assess the fatigue. The multiple regression was applied to assess the association between fatigue questionnaire and PA.

RESULTS

Were considered normal PA≥5.4º (n=78, 48.8%) and low PA<5.4º (n=82, 51.2%). The patients of the PA<5.4º group are older compared to the PA≥5.4º group (63.1±15.1 vs. 53.3±13.4 years, p<0.001). There was no association between PA and fatigue score in the crude model (OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 0.96-1.08, p=0.47) and after confounding variables (OR: 1.03, CI: 0.95-1.12, p=0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

In HD patients, we found that patients with lower PA values are older. In addition, we did not find association between fatigue and PA.

Fatigue in patients with chronic disease: results from the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study

(1) To evaluate the prevalence of severe and chronic fatigue in subjects with and without chronic disease; (2) to assess to which extent multi-morbidity contributes to severe and chronic fatigue; and (3) to identify predisposing and associated factors for severe and chronic fatigue and whether these are disease-specific, trans-diagnostic, or generic. The Dutch Lifelines cohort was used, including 78,363 subjects with (n = 31,039, 53 ± 12 years, 33% male) and without (n = 47,324, 48 ± 12 years, 46% male) ≥ 1 of 23 chronic diseases. Fatigue was assessed with the Checklist Individual Strength-Fatigue. Compared to participants without a chronic disease, a higher proportion of participants with ≥ 1 chronic disease were severely (23% versus 15%, p < 0.001) and chronically (17% versus 10%, p < 0.001) fatigued. The odds of having severe fatigue (OR [95% CI]) increased from 1.6 [1.5–1.7] with one chronic disease to 5.5 [4.5–6.7] with four chronic diseases; for chronic fatigue from 1.5 [1.5–1.6] to 4.9 [3.9–6.1]. Multiple trans-diagnostic predisposing and associated factors of fatigue were found, explaining 26% of variance in fatigue in chronic disease. Severe and chronic fatigue are highly prevalent in chronic diseases. Multi-morbidity increases the odds of having severe and chronic fatigue. Several trans-diagnostic factors were associated with fatigue, providing a rationale for a trans-diagnostic approach.

Fatigue in Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Fatigue is still present in up to 40–50% of kidney transplant recipients (KTR), the results of studies comparing the prevalence among patients on hemodialysis (HD) and KTR led to conflicting results. Fatigue correlates include inflammation, symptoms of depression, sleep disorders and obesity. Fatigue in KTR leads to significant functional impairment, it is common among KTR poorly adherent to immunosuppressive therapy and is associated with a serious deterioration of quality of life. The following databases were searched for relevant studies up to November 2020: Medline, PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Several studies have compared the prevalence and severity of fatigue between KTR and hemodialysis or healthy patients. They have shown that fatigue determines a significant functional deterioration with less chance of having a paid job and a significant change in quality of life. The aim of the review is to report methods to assess fatigue and its prevalence in KTR patients, compared to HD subjects and define the effects of fatigue on health status and daily life. There is no evidence of studies on the treatment of this symptom in KTR. Efforts to identify and treat fatigue should be a priority to improve the quality of life of KTR.

Symptom-based clusters in patients with advanced chronic organ failure identify different trajectories of symptom variations

BACKGROUND

Healthcare needs are complex and heterogeneous in advanced chronic organ failure. However, based on symptom clusters, groups of patients with similar quality of life, care dependency and life-sustaining treatment preferences can be identified.

AIMS

To evaluate the stability of symptom-based clusters over time, and whether and to what extent the clusters are able to predict patients' 2-year survival and hospitalization rates.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of a longitudinal observational study including 95 outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) GOLD stage III-IV, 80 outpatients with chronic heart failure (CHF) NYHA stage III-IV and 80 outpatients with chronic renal failure (CRF) requiring dialysis. Patients were clustered into three groups applying K-means algorithm on baseline symptoms' severity and were then longitudinally evaluated. 2-year survival and hospital admissions during 1 year were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models. 1-year tendencies in symptom variation, using mixed linear models, and clusters comparison over time were performed.

RESULTS

The three clusters were unable to predict patients' survival and hospital admissions. Noteworthy, they show different trajectories of symptom variation, with Cluster 1 patients experiencing a worsening of symptoms, associated with an increased care dependency, and Cluster 2 and Cluster 3 patients being stable or having a relief in some symptoms. Although Cluster 1 is becoming more similar to Cluster 2, the three clusters preserve the overall characteristics and differences.

DISCUSSION

Symptom-based clusters might help to identify patients with different trajectories of symptom variations.

CONCLUSION

Symptom clusters do not predict survival and hospital admissions and are stable over time.

Clustering of patients with end-stage chronic diseases by symptoms: a new approach to identify health needs

BACKGROUND

End-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic renal failure (CRF) are characterized by a high burden of daily symptoms that, irrespective of the primary organ failure, are widely shared.

AIMS

To evaluate whether and to which extent symptom-based clusters of patients with end-stage COPD, CHF and CRF associate with patients' health status, mobility, care dependency and life-sustaining treatment preferences.

METHODS

255 outpatients with a diagnosis of advanced COPD (n = 95), advanced CHF (n = 80) or CRF requiring dialysis (n = 80) were visited in their home environment and underwent a multidimensional assessment: clinical characteristics, symptom burden using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), health status questionnaires, timed "Up and Go" test, Care Dependency Scale and willingness to undergo mechanical ventilation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Three clusters were obtained applying K-means cluster analysis on symptoms' severity assessed via VAS. Cluster characteristics were compared using non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

Cluster 1 patients, with the least symptom burden, had a better quality of life, lower care dependency and were more willing to accept life-sustaining treatments than others. Cluster 2, with a high presence and severity of dyspnea, fatigue, cough, muscle weakness and mood problems, and Cluster 3, with the highest occurrence and severity of symptoms, reported similar care dependency and life-sustaining treatment preferences, while Cluster 3 reported the worst physical health status.

DISCUSSION

Symptom-based clusters identify patients with different health needs and might help to develop palliative care programs.

CONCLUSION

Clustering by symptoms identifies patients with different health status, care dependency and life-sustaining treatment preferences.

Daily physical activity in patients on chronic haemodialysis and its relation with fatigue and depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Fatigue and depressed mood are considered main impediments to physical activity in haemodialysis (HD) patients. A better understanding of their interrelationships is crucial to develop effective therapies. Moreover, measurement of daily physical activity (DPA) in HD patients is tricky, as it is usually assessed by subjective self-report questionnaires. Therefore, we aimed to objectively measure sponteanous DPA with motion sensors and to explore its relation with fatigue and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

DPA was assessed for seven consecutive days in 37 HD patients based on their daily step count measured with the SenseWear™ Armband. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were administered to evaluate fatigue and depressed mood.

RESULTS

Median DPA was 2424 steps/day, (IQR:892-4545). In 81% of subjects, DPA felt within a sedentary lifestyle classification, as they made < 5.000 steps/day. DPA did not correlate with fatigue (r_s = 0.04, p = 0.832), and did not significantly differ between patients categorized as clinically fatigued (n = 23, FSS ≥ 4) or not (n = 14, FSS < 4) (p = 0.654, d = 0.20). Although low-depressed subjects (n = 19, BDI-II ≤ 13) made on average 1.7 times more steps/day than high-depressed subjects (n = 18, BDI-II > 13) (p = 0.111, d = 0.60), depressive mood did also not correlate significantly with DPA (r_s = - 0.23, p = 0.175).

CONCLUSION

Objective assessment of DPA with motion sensors is feasible in HD patients and allows identifying a sedentary lifestyle. Our results suggest that spontanous DPA is determined by age rather than by fatigue or mood.

Fatigue in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and an Exploration of Contributing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

CONTEXT

Fatigue is a common and detrimental symptom in dialysis patients; however, our understanding of it and investigation of its contributing factors is still very limited, especially in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess fatigue in PD patients and identify contributing factors.

METHODS

One hundred eight PD patients in a comprehensive hospital in China were recruited. The fatigue severity of the participants was assessed using the Chalder Fatigue Scale 11. Demographic factors and results of physiological tests were collected. Quality of sleep, mental health, and social support were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Symptom Checklist 90, and Social Support Rating Scale, respectively. Multiple linear regression models were conducted with candidate variables with a P-value of less than 0.1 on univariate analysis and variables that were clinically relevant to identify contributing factors for fatigue.

RESULTS

The fatigue level in PD patients was significantly higher than the community population, and 78.7% of them were suffering from fatigue. The factors that were significantly associated with fatigue were quality of sleep, normalized protein nitrogen appearance, transferrin, alkaline phosphatase, and total cholesterol (adjusted R squared 0.86). Among them, quality of sleep, transferrin, alkaline phosphatase, and total cholesterol were significant contributors for physical fatigue, whereas the quality of sleep and normalized protein nitrogen appearance were contributing factors for mental fatigue.

CONCLUSION

Fatigue is a common symptom in PD patients, suggesting that increased awareness of this symptom is required. The identification of correlates by extensive exploration of multidimensional factors in this study may help practitioners to identify patients at higher risk and to develop a multidimensional and targeted intervention plan.

Effectiveness of exercise on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis is one of the common therapies in patients with end-stage renal disease. Even patients who receive regular treatment suffer from fatigue, which is one of the main factors leading to poor quality of life. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of exercising on mini-bikes on fatigue in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty-seven hemodialysis patients participated in the study. The patients were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 17). The participants in the intervention group exercised on mini-bikes for 20 min twice a week for 3 months. The patients' fatigue was measured four times during and after the intervention. Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory was used to measure the fatigue level. The total score in the MFI is 4 to 20 for each domain, with the resulting total fatigue score ranging from 20 to 100; thus, the higher the score, the higher the level of fatigue. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18. The repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the fatigue scores within each group and between the groups at different times.

RESULTS

The mean score of fatigue in the intervention group at the beginning was 58.80 ± 15.29, which steadily decreased to 58.78 ± 13.54, 58.75 ± 14.73, 54.20 ± 15.16, and 54.23 ± 13.60 for the 3 months of intervention and 1 month post-intervention, respectively. In contrast, in the control group, this score was 62.53 ± 16.32 in the beginning, increasing to 64.03 ± 13.91, 64.22 ± 13.07, 69.53 ± 9.22, for the 3 months of intervention and 70.34 ± 7.69 one-month post-intervention. There were significant differences between the intervention group and the control group in the third month (P = 0.001) and 1 month after the intervention (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that rehabilitation through exercising using mini-bikes had a significant impact on preventing further fatigue build-up in hemodialysis patients, making the mini-bike an effective non-pharmaceutical intervention preventing the increase in fatigue experienced by patients undergoing hemodialysis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20180314039100N1. Registered 10 June 2018.

A continuous juggle of invisible forces: How fatigued dialysis patients manage daily life

Dialysis patients commonly experience severe fatigue. Fatigue is known as an intrusive symptom strongly affecting perceived quality of life. A total of 23 interviews were conducted to explore how dialysis patients respond to fatigue symptoms and its consequences in daily life. A constructivist grounded theory approach guided data analysis and conceptualization of findings. Patients find themselves within a continuous decision loop, considering ones (physical) abilities and questioning ones normative beliefs and values. This inner process interacts with the outside world, and contains various ambiguities. Improved understanding of this demanding process could help to better address fatigue and positively contribute to the quality of life of dialysis patients.

Pilot Intervention Addressing Social Support and Functioning of Low Socioeconomic Status Older Adults With ESRD: The Seniors Optimizing Community Integration to Advance Better Living with ESRD (SOCIABLE) Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Older adults with end-stage kidney disease have increased morbidity, fatigue, and decreased physical function, which can inhibit self-care and social engagement. We pilot tested a home-based program to improve physical and social functioning of low socioeconomic status older adults treated with hemodialysis (HD).

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative study and randomized waitlist control intervention.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

Older adult HD patients in Baltimore, MD.

INTERVENTIONS

We identified functional needs and home environmental barriers to social engagement through focus groups; mapped findings onto aspects of an established program, which includes home visits with an occupational therapist, nurse, and handyman to provide ≤$1,300 worth of repairs, modifications, and devices; and piloted the program (Seniors Optimizing Community Integration to Advance Better Living with ESRD [SOCIABLE]) among 12 older adult HD patients. We delivered the services over 5 months in a staggered fashion.

OUTCOMES

Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and change in disability scores.

RESULTS

Focus group themes included fatigue, lack of social support, and desire to live independently. SOCIABLE pilot participants were recruited from 2 dialysis units and all were African American (50% men); mean age was 69 years. At baseline, the mean disability score for activities of daily living (ADLs) was 4.4 and for instrumental ADLs (IADLs) was 6.3 (both out of a possible 16). Among the 9 participants alive at follow-up, there was 100% intervention completion and outcomes assessment. All treated participants improved a mean score of 2.3 for ADL and 2.6 for IADL disability, and social support and social network scores improved by 4.8 and 4.6, respectively.

LIMITATIONS

Small sample size; all participants were African American.

CONCLUSIONS

A home-based intervention addressing physical and social functioning of low socioeconomic status older adults on HD therapy was feasible and acceptable.

Assessment of Fatigue in End Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background:

Fatigue is a common symptom referred by many patients undergoing hemodialysis. Fatigue is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and is an important predictor for survival of hemodialysis patients.

Aim:

To assess the levels of fatigue and demographic factors affecting it among patients with End Stage Renal Disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods:

This quantitative study was carried out in two Dialysis Units of Hospitals in Athens Region. Between January 2015 and June 2015, 129 hemodialysis patients completed the Greek Version of the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Demographic data of patients was recorded. For the statistical analysis IBM SPSS Statistics version 20 was used.

Results:

The mean FAS score was 24.99. 49 patients (38.0%) were non fatigued, 61 patients (47.3%) were fatigued, and 19 patients (13.7%) were extremely fatigued. Higher levels of fatigue were reported among hemodialysis patients residing in urban areas, in those with low educational level and unemployed.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study can be used in the assessment of fatigue and early identification of high-risk patients (especially of the unemployed, those who occupy with domestic works, those with low educational level and of urban citizens). Use of this knowledge by hemodialysis nurses may lead to a better understanding of the factors of fatigue in ESRD, which in turn may lead to a more effective treatment.

Physiological and psychosocial stressors among hemodialysis patients in the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon

INTRODUCTION

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is an irreversible kidney condition and hemodialysis is the most frequent treatment option used for this condition. However, hemodialysis also has a detrimental impact on the quality of life and the individuals' physical and psychosocial wellbeing. The main objective of this study was to identify physiological and psychosocial stressors faced by patients undergoing hemodialysis in the Buea Regional Hospital in Cameroon.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out (December 2016 - January 2017) among patients undergoing hemodialysis at the Buea regional hospital. Data were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Quantitative variables were expressed as frequencies, percentages and means.

RESULTS

Among the patients undergoing hemodialysis, 28 (70.0%) were below 5-year dialysis while 12 (30.0%) had been on dialysis for five years and more. 21(52.5%) were male and 19(47.5%) female. Half of the patients were married 20(50%), 13(32.5%) were single, 6(15%) were divorced, and one (2.5%) was a widower. Also, 28 (70.0%) were below 5-year dialysis while 12 (30.0%) had been on dialysis for five years and more. All participants experienced at least one or more physiological and psychosocial stressors. Among physiological stressors, the most frequent were feeling tired (97%), followed by arterial and venous stick (88%) while itching (49.5%) was the least noted physiological stressor. Among psycho-social stressors, the most recurrent were transportation to and from the hospital (99.5%), cost of treatment (99.5%) and Limits on time and place of vacation (99%), followed by Limitation in physical activities, frequent hospitalizations, the length of time on dialysis, uncertainty about the future, changes in life style, increased dependence and sleep disturbances.

CONCLUSION

The topic of stressors is of importance among patients receiving dialysis, as these affect their psycho-social and physiological wellbeing. Thus, nephrologists, nurses and family members play an important role in providing patients with effective psycho-social and physiological support.

Relationship between fatigue symptoms and subjective and objective indicators in hemodialysis patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to investigate the major factors affecting fatigue symptoms and to examine the relationships between fatigue symptoms and subjective and objective indicators in patients on hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

Patients on HD who met the inclusion criteria were chosen from two grade A tertiary general hospitals by convenience sampling and cross-sectional survey methods.

RESULTS

A total of 511 patients were included in the study. The morbidity rate of fatigue in patients on HD was 61.6%, and the median fatigue level was 3.91. Fatigue and subjective indicators showed a mild-moderate relationship (0.3 < all |r| < 0.6, all P < 0.001), whereas a weak correlation was found between fatigue and objective indicators (all |r| < 0.2, all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that subjective indicators, including employment, exercise time, appetite, the vitality of 36-item Short Form Health Survey, perceived social support, intrafamilial support, cramping, headache, chest tightness, and whole-body pain, as well objective indicator, such as serum intact parathyroid hormone levels, were the influence factors of fatigue in patients on HD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of fatigue symptoms was high and the level of fatigue was moderate in patients on HD. Subjective and objective indicators can both affect fatigue symptoms in patients on HD.

Barriers to exercise for patients with renal disease: an integrative review

Renal disease is a common health condition that leads to loss of physical function, frailty, and premature loss of independence in addition to other severe comorbidities and increased mortality. Increased levels of physical activity and initiation of exercise training is recommended in the current guidelines for all patients with renal disease, but participation and adherence rates are low. The barriers to exercise and physical activity in patients with renal disease are not well defined and currently based on patient provider perception and opinion. There have been no published reviews that have synthesized published findings on patient reported barriers to exercise. This integrative literature review therefore aimed to identify the current understanding of patient reported barriers to regular exercise. This integrative review found that patient perceived barriers to exercise are not consistent with the barriers that have been identified by renal disease specialists and healthcare providers, which were disinterest, lack of motivation, and being incapable of exercise. The patient reported barriers identified through this review were complex and diverse, and the most frequently reported patient perceived barrier to exercise was low energy levels and fatigue. It is clear that additional research to identify patient perceived barriers to exercise is needed and that patient directed interventions to address these barriers should be developed. This integrative review provides information to the interdisciplinary nephrology team that can be used to tailor their assessment of barriers to exercise and provide exercise education for patients with renal disease.

Preliminary study of an exercise programme for reducing fatigue and improving sleep among long-term haemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION

Fatigue and quality of sleep are the main factors that contribute to a poor quality of life among patients on long-term haemodialysis. Studies have also emphasised the importance of exercise for improving the wellbeing of dialysis patients. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a predialysis low-to-moderate-intensity exercise programme for reducing fatigue and improving sleep disorders among long-term haemodialysis patients.

METHODS

In this quasi-experimental study, an exercise programme was conducted three times a week for 12 weeks before long-term haemodialysis patients underwent dialysis at two centres. The patients were categorised into either the exercise group (n = 28) or control group (n = 27). The latter was asked to maintain their current lifestyles. Assessments of fatigue and sleep disorder levels were performed for both groups using self-reported questionnaires at baseline and after intervention. The patients' perception of the exercise programme was also determined using self-reported questionnaires.

RESULTS

Paired sample t-test indicated improvements in fatigue level in the exercise group (mean fatigue score: post-treatment 40.5 ± 7.9 vs. pre-treatment 30.0 ± 10.9). Improvements in sleep disorders were also observed in the exercise group (mean score: post-treatment 7.6 ± 3.3 vs. pre-treatment 10.1 ± 3.8). However, sleep quality deteriorated in the control group (mean score: post-treatment 10.7 ± 2.9 vs. pre-treatment 9.3 ± 2.9).

CONCLUSION

Simple low-to-moderate-intensity exercise is effective for improving fatigue, sleep disorders and the overall quality of life among haemodialysis patients.

The impact of depression on fatigue in patients with haemodialysis: a correlational study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the fatigue levels and important fatigue predictors for patients undergoing haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a common symptom for haemodialysis patients. With its debilitating and distressing effects, it impacts patients in terms of their quality of life while also increasing their mortality rate.

DESIGN

A descriptive correlational study.

METHODS

Convenience sampling was conducted at six chosen haemodialysis centres in Southern Taiwan. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 193 haemodialysis patients. The scales involved in this study were socio-demographic details, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Fatigue Scale for haemodialysis patients. Data analysis included percentages, means, standard deviations and hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The fatigue level for haemodialysis patients was in the moderate range. Results from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that age, employment status, types of medications, physical activity and depression were significant. Of those variables, depression had the greatest impact on the patients' fatigue level, accounting for up to 30·6% of the explanatory power. The total explanatory power of the regression model was 64·2%.

CONCLUSION

This study determined that for haemodialysis patients, unemployment, increased age, taking more medications or lower exercise frequencies resulted in more severe depression, which translated in turn to higher levels of fatigue. Among all these factors, depression had the greatest impact on the patients' fatigue levels.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Not only is this finding beneficial to future studies on fatigue as a source of reference, it is also helpful in our understanding of important predictors relating to fatigue in the everyday lives of haemodialysis patients. It is recommended that when caring for fatigued patients, more care should be dedicated to their psychological states, and assistance should be provided in a timely way so as to reduce the amount of fatigue suffered.

Physiological and psychosocial stressors among hemodialysis patients in educational hospitals of northern iran

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The hemodialysis (HD) patients are experiencing high biopsychosocial stress on all levels. Therefore, this study was designed to survey on physiologic and psychosocial stressors among HD patients in two educational hospitals of Northern Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 80 HD patients who were referred to Khomeini and Fatemeh Zahra hospitals in Mazandaran (Northern Iran) during the year 2011. Data were collected using a demographic information record sheet and Baldree Hemodialysis Stress Scale.

FINDING

THE FOLLOWING PHYSIOLOGIC STRESSORS WERE NOTED: Fatigue (51.25%), limited time and places for enjoyment (46.25%), and physical activation limitation (32.5%). Similarly the following psychosocial stressors were observed: Fistula (58.75%), limitation of drinking water (47.5%), low quality of life (47.5%), travelling difficulties to the dialysis center (45%), treatment cost (41.5%), and low life expectancy. The stress level was high in women who were married, younger, less dialysis vintage, and belonged to a low education level.

CONCLUSION

This study reports that HD patients have with significant physical and psychosocial problems and they need education, family, and social supports.

Different aspects of fatigue experienced by patients receiving maintenance dialysis in hemodialysis units

BACKGROUND

Fatigue, a common symptom reported by patients receiving dialysis, is a multidimensional and subjective experience which is readily understood by individuals but difficult to measure.

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to identify the prevalence of differential aspects of fatigue among patients receiving maintenance dialysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted in two hemodialysis wards in Tehran with a sample of 163 participants. In this study, the multidimensional fatigue inventory was used to determine the level of fatigue. Demographic data were also collected with self-report survey. To analyze data with SPSS statistical software, test Chi square, T-test, and ANOVA were used. P- Value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

All the patients experienced degrees of fatigue and 50 (30.7%) of the participants experienced a high level of fatigue. Fatigue scores arrangement was founded for physical fatigue followed by reduced activity and general fatigue. Lower levels of fatigue were reported for mental fatigue and reduced motivation. There was no diversity in this study in the levels of fatigue in respects of gender and marital status and employment status. Participants with diabetic nephropathy were the most fatigued.

CONCLUSIONS

People with chronic kidney disease regardless of their age, gender, state of health, and duration of hemodialysis experience high levels of fatigue; it is particularly important for health providers to understand this level of fatigue which affects the daily life of patients.

Fatigue in hemodialysis patients: a review of current knowledge

CONTEXT

End-stage renal disease is a common chronic illness increasing in incidence and prevalence. Although kidney function is partially replaced through dialysis, patients endure many symptoms of the disease such as fatigue. Many factors have been studied regarding their relationship with fatigue in this population.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a state of the science review regarding fatigue in hemodialysis patients by examining the experience of fatigue for patients on hemodialysis and correlates of fatigue in patients on hemodialysis.

METHODS

PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts were searched using the key terms "fatigue," "dialysis," and "hemodialysis." Articles written after 1980 and those with explicit findings related to fatigue were included in this review. Articles that discussed fatigue in peritoneal dialysis patients or renal transplant patients were not included.

RESULTS

There is little knowledge regarding the experience of fatigue for patients on hemodialysis and there has been little success identifying demographic, psychosocial, or physiological factors that are consistently related to fatigue.

CONCLUSION

Further work in this area of inquiry would be of benefit and may shed light on the domains of life that are affected by fatigue for hemodialysis patients. It also may help deepen our knowledge regarding correlates that could identify hemodialysis patients who are at increased risk for fatigue.

ESRD patients using permanent vascular access report greater physical activity compared with catheter users

PURPOSE

Low levels of physical activity among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are associated with increased risk of hospitalization and mortality, and contributors to low activity levels are important to identify. Among hemodialysis (HD) patients, use of a central venous catheter (CVC) might impede physical activity due to factors such as infection or patient fear of catheter dislodgement.

METHODS

This Comprehensive Dialysis Study surveyed patients who had recently started regular dialysis. Physical activity level was ascertained using responses to the Human Activity Profile (HAP) provided by 1,458 HD participants. We examined the association of vascular access type with patients' scores on HAP subscales measuring self-care and leg effort, two dimensions that are especially important for daily living.

RESULTS

32.6% of patients used an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), 11.5% used an arteriovenous graft, 51.8% used a CVC, and 4.1% used a CVC with another maturing access. Patients' self-care and leg effort scores differed by vascular access type and receipt of early nephrology care, and the mean self-care score of AVF users who received early care was similar to the mean score reported for healthy adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Reported levels of self-care and leg effort activity were higher among incident HD patients using an AVF compared to those using a CVC. Future research should examine whether reinforcing the importance of regular physical activity in the pre-dialysis period, as well as wider early use of AVF in the HD population, may improve physical activity levels among ESRD patients.

Fatigue in chronic dialysis patients

Fatigue is common in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients and impacts on daily living, impairs significantly the quality of life, increases the risk of cardiovascular events and negatively influences survival. Although numerous social, demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables have been associated with fatigue, the causes of this symptom are often unclear. In the absence of an underlying, treatable disorder, the results of therapeutic intervention are typically frustrating. So far, none of the drugs tested can be recommended for preventing and treating fatigue in chronic HD patients. There is some evidence that exercise may significantly improve fatigue in dialysis patients; however, this requires confirmation through large, prospective, randomized studies.

The development and testing of an instrument for perceived self-efficacy for fatigue self-management

BACKGROUND

Persons with chronic illness commonly report fatigue. Measurement of perceived self-efficacy for fatigue self-management (PSEFSM) is essential if fatigue is to be monitored and enhanced to improve physical functional status.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to describe the development and testing of the PSEFSM instrument.

METHODS

The PSEFSM instrument was incorporated into 2 randomized controlled trials for secondary analysis (N=298): 63 persons with lung cancer and 235 persons with other cancer diagnoses undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

RESULT

: Evidence for construct validity and generalizability was supported through hypotheses testing of the mediation pathway from fatigue to physical functional status through PSEFSM, with results indicating support for partial mediation. Structural modeling indicated a good model fit that further supported the construct validity of the PSEFSM instrument.

CONCLUSIONS

The instrument provides a reliable and valid measure of PSEFSM that could be used in research to facilitate the development of interventions to increase perceived self-efficacy to achieve optimal symptom self-management.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The PSEFSM instrument is brief and easy to complete, which results in a low response burden for persons who are already fatigued, providing for regular use in transdisciplinary research and practice settings. This is important because the use of this instrument can impact how we partner with our patients to better understand how to manage this troublesome symptom, fatigue.

Fatigue experienced by patients receiving maintenance dialysis in hemodialysis units

The fatigue that is observed in patients who are undergoing dialysis is usually associated with an impaired quality of life. The present cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2009 in three hemodialysis units in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this study, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and Depression Anxiety and Stress Score 21 were used to determine the level of fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress of patients who were undergoing dialysis. The data were obtained from a calculated sample of 116 and a total of 103 respondents participated in the study. A total of 56 (54.4%) and 47 (45.6%) respondents experienced a high level and a low level of fatigue, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the duration of treatment and the level of fatigue. The respondents who had been receiving treatment for > 2 years experienced more fatigue, compared to the respondents who had been undergoing hemodialysis for > 2 years. There was a significant difference in relation to the age of the participants regarding the level of fatigue. No significant relationship between the sex of the participants, anemia, depression, anxiety, stress, and the level of fatigue was observed. Special attention needs to be paid to both the younger and older adults who are receiving treatment. In addition, proper planning is needed for the patients regarding their daily activities in order to reduce fatigue. Nurses who work in hemodialysis units are recommended to provide exercise classes or group therapy in order to boost the energy levels among patients who are undergoing dialysis. Health professionals should provide appropriate treatment for patients who are experiencing fatigue in order to prevent any other complications that could arise.

Sustaining a hemodialysis exercise program: a review

This article reviews the literature addressing exercise programs for dialysis patients to identify elements necessary for sustaining exercise programs in this population. Literature searches for publications (January 1980-February 2009) in Medline (OVID), PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCO), EBSCOhost EJS, ProQuest Central, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink (Kluwer), and Wiley Interscience (Blackwell) were performed. Reference lists from relevant articles were hand-searched for further publications. Criteria for inclusion included full-text primary research and review articles focused on exercise for adult hemodialysis patients. One hundred and seventy one publications were found with a primary focus on exercise in hemodialysis. Of these, 28 primary research and 14 review articles addressed one or more aspects of sustainability of hemodialysis exercise programs. Factors contributing to sustainable exercise programs included: dedicated exercise professionals; encouragement to exercise intradialytically; dialysis and medical staff commitment; adequate physical requirements of equipment and space; interesting and stimulating; cost implications need to be addressed; exercise is not for everyone; requires individual prescription; and there is no age barrier to exercise on hemodialysis.