Symptoms in hemodialysis patients and their relationship with biochemical and demographic parameters

Symptoms can markedly influence the hemodialysis patients well-being and qu ality 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, occasio nal presence or daily recurrence (score = 0, 1, 2) of 14 symptoms and a rec ord was made of their biochemical parameters, age, time on treatment and Kt IV as a function of each symptom. The following relationships were detected: thirst with high Osm and BUN; as thenia with old age and hypoalbuminemia; insomnia with hypercalcemia; hyper somnia with hypoxemia and hypernatremia; anorexia with hypokalemia; dyspnea with old age, hypernatremia and hypokalemia; dysgeusia with hypoxemia; nau sea with alkalemia, hypoxemia and low BUN; vomiting with alkalemia. Pruritu s, arthralgia, restless legs syndrome, cramp and tremor showed no relations hips. Monitoring acid-base balance and plasma electrolytes could help to alleviat e symptoms and ameliorate quality of life of hemodialysis patients.