CHRONIC GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

Introduction: Gastrointestinal disorders occur frequently in dialysis patients. Few data are available on the prevalence of symptoms origina ting from the gastrointestinal tract in this group of patients. Our ai m was to obtain data on the prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal sym ptoms in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: All 109 patients o f our dialysis unit were given a questionnaire to complete which was p reviously validated and designed to measure the occurrence of gastroin testinal, and some general symptoms during the preceding year. 105 sub jects responded (96% response rate). Results: 79% of dialysis patients had at least one of the following chronic gastrointestinal symptoms: Esophageal symptoms were reported in 21%, abdominal pain in 28% and dy speptic symptoms in 48%. The irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed in 12 patients (11%), 40% had chronic constipation and 24% had chronic d iarrhoea. Colonic pain was described in 20% of patients. Frequent gene ral symptoms (such as weakness, headaches, insomnia and fatigue) were described in up to 51%, and patients were severely bothered by symptom s in up to 33% of cases. Conclusion: Although patients on hemodialysis generally report a good quality of life, the prevalence of gastrointe stinal symptoms and of general symptoms is high and many dialysis pati ents consider these symptoms to cause major impairment of daily life.