An influence of hemodialysis treatment on the biological functioning of patients

Abstract

Introduction: Among civilisation diseases of the 21st century, which include diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and obesity, we should also mention chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the paper. The aim of the paper is to discover the relation between hemodialysis treatment and the biological aspect of the functioning of patients treated for chronic renal failure.

Materials and methods: The survey was conducted in Tarnów, in the Dialysis Unit of Edward Szczeklik Specialist Hospital from 28 January to 3 March 2015. The survey included a group of 35 patients dialysed in that centre, aged 40-86. The other group consisted of 39 patients dialysed in Centrum Dializa (Dialysis Centre), Brzesko Branch, aged 25-84. A short questionnaire was used for the research, which included questions concerning sociodemographic data of the surveyed patients and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life form (KDQOL-SF 1.3) developed in 1994, intended for cross-section assessment of HRQOL of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy.

Results: Renal r eplacement treatment makes it difficult for p atients to perform a number of everyday activities. According to the majority of the survey participants, the most limited was covering a few floors by stairs – 96%, covering the distance of more than 1 km – 91%, covering the distance of about 500 m – 87%, covering one floor by stairs – 69%. The dialysed patients assessed their health negatively. According to the survey participants, the average assessment of their general health was M = 4.11 (with standard deviation SD = 0.39). Women statistically significantly worse assessed their health than men (p=0.031).

Conclusions: The findings of the conducted research prove that in spite of the constant medical progress and improvements in the equipment and ways of performing hemodialysis, patients feel discomfort on many levels, including the physical one.