Effect of high-flux hemodialysis on quality of life and neuropsychological function in chronic hemodialysis patients.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of high-flux hemodialysis on quality of life, intra- and interdialytic symptoms and neuropsychological function. The study was double-blind single cross-over with random allocation to order of treatment. The patients were stable adult hospital hemodialysis patients. Both the conventional and high-flux membranes were cellulose acetate, the dialysate was bicarbonate, and dialysate sodium was held constant. The high-flux membrane had an ultrafiltration rate of 15 ml/h/mm Hg transmembrane pressure, a B12 clearance of 88 ml/min and a beta 2-microglobulin clearance of 11.4 ml/min. The values of the conventional membrane were 3.5-5.0, 34-45 and negligible. Each treatment period was 4 months. Twenty-two patients completed both phases of the cross-over. The KT/V value was higher during high-flux than conventional treatment; 1.42 versus 1.27(p < 0.05). There were no differences between high-flux and conventional treatment with respect to quality of life. Symptoms during dialysis were less severe during high-flux than conventional treatment for 12/14 items. Only 3 items reached statistical significance (0.05 > p > 0.01) and none were clinically significant. Symptoms between dialyses were less severe during high-flux than conventional treatment for 18/20 items. No single item had a statistically significant improvement but 3 had clinically important improvement. Among the 23 neuropsychological variables, none demonstrated statistically significant changes.     

Treating symptoms to improve the quality of life in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis has not improved significantly in the last 20 years. This is largely due to their substantial symptom burden which is rarely assessed and treated in routine clinical practice. This is also consequence of the lack of an appropriate armamentarium for the treatments of such symptoms. Adequate studies on the causes and pathogenesis of the symptoms of hemodialysis patients are needed followed by high-quality studies on possible therapeutic pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Patients on chronic hemodialysis deserve a better quality of life.

     

Differences of prognosis in hemodialysis patients with different quality of life

Objective To compare the one-year survival rates of maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients with different quality of life, and analyze related factors affecting the prognosis of patients. Methods Patients on hemodialysis for at least 3 months were enrolled. A short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were used to evaluate the quality of life and quality of sleep. To observe one-year all-cause mortality and Cox regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with survival outcomes. Results A total of 159 patients undergoing hemodialysis were included, in which 136 patients completed the follow-up after one - year observation. The one - year survival rate in patients with both high physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores was significantly better than the patients with low PCS and MCS scores (P ﹤ 0.05). PCS, hemoglobin and serum albumin were the protection factors for HD patients. Conclusions Quality of life is strongly associated with prognosis in HD patients. Enhancing quality of life is of clinical significance in the improvement of HD patients' survival rate.     

Evaluation of the effect of intravenous l-carnitine on quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of l-carnitine on quality of life (QOL) in chronic hemodialysis patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This trial used a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover design. Inclusion criteria were patients who were older than 18 years, had been on dialysis for a minimum of one year, and had at least two of the following symptoms: intradialytic hypotension, muscle cramping, lack of energy, muscle weakness or myopathy, cardiomyopathy, or lack of responsiveness to erythropoietin (EPO). Patients were excluded if they were mentally incompetent to complete a QOL questionnaire. Sixteen patients were randomized to receive either l-carnitine (20 mg/kg) or placebo (normal saline) after each dialysis session for 12 weeks, followed by a 6-week washout, then the crossover therapy for 12 weeks. The Kidney Dialysis Questionnaire was the assessment tool used to evaluate QOL. RESULTS: There was no significant effect of l-carnitine on QOL irrespective of treatment order. There were also no differences found in any of the secondary outcomes including incidence of muscle cramping, intradialytic hypotension, EPO requirements or hemoglobin. Adverse effects consisted of gastrointestinal symptoms, with a similar incidence between l-carnitine and placebo. CONCLUSION: L-carnitine did not have a benefit on QOL in our patient population.     

Prescription of psychotropic drugs in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis

Objective: Patients on hemodialysis commonly have comorbid depression and require treatment with psychotropic drugs. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the use of psychotropic drugs among patients on hemodialysis and to elucidate the factors associated with use of each class of psychotropic medication. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 195 hemodialysis patients with a mean age of 58.5 years. Patients were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Chalder Fatigue Scale and Short-form Health-related Quality of Life. We analyzed the frequency of psychiatric outpatient department visits within six months prior to interview and psychotropic drugs use within one month prior to interview, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines (BZDs) and hypnotics. Results: Of the 195 patients, 47 (24.1%) fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). Only 6.4% of patients diagnosed with MDD visited the psychiatry outpatient department within six months prior to interview. Of the total patients, the proportions with use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, BZDs and hypnotics were 5.6%, 1.0%, 3.1%, 42.6% and 20.0%, respectively. Having MDD was an independent factor associated with taking antidepressants (adjusted OR?=?3.98, p?=?0.036) and taking hypnotics (adjusted OR?=?2.75, p?=?0.011). Conclusions: Depression is generally undetected or not well-managed among hemodialysis patients in the clinical setting. Only a small proportion of depressed patients received antidepressant treatment. BZDs and/or hypnotics might be exorbitantly prescribed. Clinicians should pay more attention to patients’ emotional distress and provide appropriate treatment.     

Recombinant human erythropoietin treatment may improve quality of life and cognitive function in chronic hemodialysis patients

Medical, psychological, and social adaptation (quality of life) as well as cognitive function were studied in 15 chronic stable hemodialysis patients before the onset of treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO), 1 month after stabilization of normal hematocrit levels, and 10 to 15 months after treatment onset. After r-HuEPO treatment, subjects had significantly higher hematocrits, markedly improved energy levels, and marginally improved global health. r-HuEPO treatment was also associated with progressively decreased levels of subject mood disturbance and dialysis-related stresses. Subjects had no increased participation in paid employment and only minimally increased participation in social and leisure activities at posttreatment data points. There was no significant improvement in cognitive function after treatment. r-HuEPO treatment appears to be associated with higher energy levels, significant psychological benefits, and minimal improvements in social adaptation. The effects on cognitive function merit further study.     

Racial differences in health-related quality of life among hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND; Despite technical progress in therapy, hemodialysis patients continue to report health-related quality of life (HRQOL) substantially lower than that of the general population. While African Americans with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) survive longer than members of other races, few studies have compared the HRQOL of African Americans with that of non-African Americans. METHODS: We examined differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and HRQOL variables by race. A multiple regression model assessed the extent to which race was associated with differences in HRQOL scores after adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Racial differences in the relationship between comorbid disease severity and HRQOL were explored. RESULTS; In adjusted models, African Americans had higher scores in the Index of Well-Being and burden of kidney disease, but lower scores in cognitive function (all P < 0.05). For scales reflecting symptoms and effects of kidney disease, sleep quality, and the Physical Component Summary, the fall in HRQOL with increasing comorbidity was significantly greater in non-African Americans (all P < 0.05). After adjustment, there were no racial differences in scores on the Mental Component Summary, social support, dialysis staff encouragement, or patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, ESRD is the only chronic illness for which African Americans report significantly better psychologic well being and a lower burden of disease than non-African Americans. Further research is needed to understand whether these experiences affect health care utilization, medical decision making, and patient survival. Clarification of the reasons for race differences may suggest measures to improve HRQOL for all patients with ESRD.     

健康教育对长期血液透析患者生活质量的影响

目的:探讨长期血液透析患者生活质量的提高.方法:对2008年1月-2009年6月进行血液透析的65例患者进行健康教育.结果:本组65例患者均由住院转为门诊透析,回家后除生活自理外,还能做力所能及的工作.结论:健康教育使长期血液透析患者的生活质量提高,增强战胜疾病的信心,延长其生命,同时密切了护患关系.     

长程血液透析对维持性血液透析患者生活质量的影响

目的 研究长程血液透析(LSHD)对维持性血液透析(MHD)患者生活质量的影响.方法 选取首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院血液净化中心40例MHD患者,通过问卷调查和收集临床资料相结合的方法,进行前瞻性配对临床研究.根据临床资料、检验指标、睡眠质量将患者配对分组为普通透析(HD)组和LSHD组,各20例,进行6个月的临床试验,观察两组患者临床表现、生化指标及生活质量的情况.结果 LSHD组的Kt/V(1.73±0.36比1.41±0.23,P＜0.05)、血红蛋白[(124.67±9.08)比(110.55±9.01) g/L,P＜0.01]、血清白蛋白[(45.01±2.66)比(39.28±2.63) g/L,P＜0.01]显著高于HD组 ;血压控制比例(14/20比5/20,P=0.010)和睡眠质量(16/20比5/20,P=0.001)显著优于HD组 ;生活质量SF-36评分显著高于HD组(P＜0.05),差异均有统计学意义.结论 长程透析可以改善MHD患者睡眠质量、营养状况,从而改善生活质量.     

Psychosocial factors and quality of life in young hemodialysis patients with low comorbidity

BACKGROUND: The current predominance of older patients, diabetic patients and high-comorbidity patients among the hemodialysis (HD) population has probably influenced the definition of the effects of renal disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and these effects can be different in the patient subgroup without these characteristics. This multicenter study aimed to assess HRQOL in non-diabetic HD patients, aged < 65 yrs and with low comorbidity, and to study the effects of the demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics on their HRQOL. METHODS: 117 patients from 43 Spanish HD centers participated in the study. Patients completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short-Form questionnaire (KDQOL-SF) and screening for depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and social support. Various sociodemographic and clinical variables were also recorded. RESULTS: HD patients' HRQOL showed a profile similar to that of the general HD population, with low physical health scores, but normal mental health scores. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that gender, older age, non-working status, low social support and low levels of hemoglobin (Hb), Kt/V or protein catabolic rate (PCR), had a negative effects, but these effects were of relatively small magnitude and appeared only in some scales. The most important independent predictors of HRQOL were anxiety state and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In non-diabetic HD patients, aged < or = 65 yrs and with low comorbidity, psychological factors (anxiety state and depressive symptoms) are crucial HRQOL determinants. These variables should be considered when assessing HRQOL in HD patients with these demographic and clinical characteristics.     

维持性血液透析患者生活质量影响因素的研究

目的 分析维持性血液透析(HD)患者生活质量的各种影响因素.方法 选择血液透析治疗患者共88例,登记基本情况,使用肾脏病生活质量简表(KDQOL-SFTM)问卷调查,对其生活质量(QOL)进行统计.结果 原发病情况及费用来源与生活质量不具有相关性(P＞0.05);年龄、性别、婚姻、透龄、教育程度、工作及收入情况与生活质量均有相关性(P＜0.05).结论 透龄、教育程度、年龄、婚姻情况、性别、收入及工作情况严重影响透析患者的生活质量.     

Treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis

Treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis. Hyperphosphatemia in patients with ESRD leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy, and is independently associated with mortality risk. The exact mechanism by which hyperphosphatemia increases mortality risk is unknown, but it may relate to enhanced cardiovascular calcification. National Kidney Foundation K/DOQI bone metabolism and disease guidelines recommend maintenance of serum phosphorus (P) below 5.5 mg/dL, and Ca x P product less than 55 mg(2)/dL(2). Although calcium-based phosphate binders (CBPB) are cost effective, long-term safety concerns relate to their postulated role in progression of cardiovascular calcification. Sevelamer hydrochloride has been recommended as an alternative noncalcium phosphate binder. Results from the Calcium Acetate Renagel Evaluation (CARE study) indicate that calcium acetate is more effective than sevelamer in controlling serum phosphorous and Ca x P product in hemodialysis patients. In the Treat-to-Goal study, dialysis patients treated with sevelamer had slower progression of coronary and aortic calcification than patients treated with CBPB. The mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of sevelamer is unknown, but may relate to decreased calcium loading or to dramatic reductions in LDL cholesterol in sevelamer-treated patients. At present, evidence incriminating CBPB in the progression of cardiovascular calcification in ESRD remains largely circumstantial. As calcium acetate is more efficacious and cost effective than sevelamer, it remains an accepted first-line phosphate binder. In this review, we will examine these issues and provide rational guidelines for the use of calcium-based phosphate binders in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.     

慢性前列腺炎患者生活质量临床调查

目的调查慢性前列腺炎(chronic prostatitis,CP)患者生活质量及性生活质量状况并分析影响生活质量及性生活质量的相关因素;方法随机选择CP患者,无记名填写CP症状评分量表(NIH-CPSI)、性功能评价表及年龄、病程等,并进行统计分析。结果CP总症状评分5~35分,平均(20.69±7.02)分;生活质量评分2~12分,平均(8.47±2.49)分;性生活质量总分18~53分,平均(38.79±7.55)分;生活质量评分与前列腺炎症状总分、疼痛及排尿症状评分之间有显著相关性;与性功能总评分、射精潜伏期、射精控制能力、性生活满意度、性生活自信度及性生活焦虑评分之间有显著相关性,与年龄、病程、前列腺液内白细胞及卵磷脂数量无显著相关性。结论CP导致生活质量、性生活质量下降,生活质量下降与患者CP症状、性功能下降、性生活满意度降低及配偶性生活满意度降低有关,生活质量及性生活质量下降与年龄、病程及前列腺液内白细胞及卵磷脂数量无明显相关性。     

Health-related quality of life in patients on peritoneal dialysis in Serbia: comparison with hemodialysis

Abstract:  Patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important indicator of the effectiveness of the medical care they receive. Patients who reach end-stage renal disease are older and have a considerable extent of comorbidity. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate HRQoL in patients at the initiation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment (incident cohort) and in patients on long-term CAPD therapy (prevalent cohort), and (ii) to compare influence of comorbidity on HRQoL in CAPD and hemodialysis (HD) patients. In a cross-sectional study we enrolled 99 CAPD and 192 HD patients. HRQoL was assessed with the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). HRQoL summary scales in both incident and prevalent groups of CAPD patients were similar for physical component summary score (PCS) and for mental component summary score (MCS). Generally, higher values were found in mental health domains in comparison to PCS. In the incident group of patients, 1 year of peritoneal dialysis treatment was associated with a slight improvement in both PCS and MCS, but statistical significance ( P  < 0.05) was found in the role-physical limitation (RP), bodily pain (BP), and vitality (VT) scales only. CAPD patients with the highest disease severity (Index of Disease Severity [IDS]-3) and physical impairment (Index of Physical Impairment [IPI]-2) scored significantly higher parameters of HRQoL than HD patients. Comorbidity had negative influence on HRQoL, but statistically significant correlation has been found in HD patients only. In conclusion, comorbid conditions had negative correlation with parameters of HRQoL in both CAPD and HD patients. One year after starting CAPD, patients reported better scores in some domains, especially in RP, BP, and VT scales. Assessment of HRQoL and comorbidity might be useful in clinical practice in the follow-up of patients treated with both CAPD and HD.     

Intradialytic nutrition and quality of life in Chilean older patients in hemodialysis with protein-energy wasting

International Urology and Nephrology - The study assessed the impact of intradialytic oral nutritional supplementation on the quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis and diagnosed with...     

洛阳市维持性血液透析患者生活质量调查及影响因素分析

目的 通过对洛阳市维持性血液透析(maintenance hemodialysis,MHD)患者的生活质量进行调查,分析影响MHD患者生活质量的因素,为改善MHD患者生活质量提出依据.方法 采用质量调查问卷(Short-Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire,SF-36)生活质量量表对洛阳市第一人民医院、洛阳市中心医院、河南科技大学第一附属医院、河南科技大学第三附属医院、解放军150医院、洛阳市第一中医院、洛阳市第二中医院352例MHD患者进行问卷调查,计算血液透析患者生活质量得分,与健康常模进行比较,分析影响MHD患者生活质量的因素.结果 研究组患者SF-36量表8个维度的得分显著低于健康常模(P＜0.05).MHD患者生活质量与性别、年龄、透析龄、血红蛋白、透析充分性(Kt/V)等因素有关.结论 MHD患者生活质量明显低于健康人群,年龄、性别、透析龄、血红蛋白、Kt/V是影响MHD患者生活质量的重要因素,改善这些因素有望提高MHD患者的生活质量.     

血液透析和腹膜透析患者生存质量的多中心调查

目的评估我国广东省南部血液透析(血透)和腹膜透析(腹透)患者生存质量的状况;比较血透和腹透患者生存质量差异;探讨影响血透和腹透患者生存质量的基本因素.方法采取多中心研究方法.病例选自广东省南部,而主要是广州市的9家大医院的维持性血透、腹透3个月以上的患者,其中血透180例,腹透122例.使用KDQOL-SFTM表进行问卷调查,根据Hays RD提供的方法进行评分.结果 (1)血透患者肾脏病和透析相关生存质量(KDTA)总分为51.2±10.6,SF-36总分为48.2±19.9;腹透患者KDTA总分为56.3±12.3,SF-36总分为47.8±16.8.血透多数领域评分较欧美日同类报道为低;腹透仅部分领域低于香港特别行政区,但总体评分与香港特别行政区同类报道无显著差异.(2)比较研究提示腹透总体评分高于血透,但进一步的分层研究提示血透与腹透的生存质量差异主要是在透析的前2年.(3)血透男性患者在KDTA和SF-36及其它5个领域优于血透女性患者;而腹透男女患者之间KDTA和SF-36总分无显著差异.无论男女,腹透患者在多个领域均优于同性别血透患者.(4)血透患者的青年组(＜45岁)与中年组(45～60岁)、老年组(＞60岁)相比,在KDTA和SF-36总体水平无显著差异,仅在体能相关领域高于中老年组.腹透患者青年组在KDTA和SF-36总分以及多个分支领域明显高于中老年组患者,同时,腹透患者在不同年龄组的多个领域优于同年龄段血透患者.(5)在生存质量的总体变化趋势方面,血透患者初始的生存质量较低,透析1～2年时的生存质量逐渐提高,2～4年处于高峰,以后开始下降;腹透患者生存质量的趋势KDTA比较平稳,但2年后SF-36呈明显下降趋势.(6)多元回归分析提示,对KDTA和SF-36总体生存质量的影响因素分别为透析方式、年龄、性别和透析时间.结论 (1)广东省南部,而主要是广州市的血透和腹透患者生存质量状况的总体水平仍低于西方国家和香港特别行政区.(2)慢性肾衰竭患者一体化治疗的前2年可首选腹透.(3)血透和腹透患者的KDTA和SF-36生存质量的趋势不同,腹透不仅适合老年患者,更适合年轻患者和女性患者.(4)透析方式、透析时间、性别和年龄影响透析患者的生存质量,但影响程度和领域各不相同.     

Association of decreased quality of life and erectile dysfunction in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Quality of life in hemodialysis patients has been associated with treatment outcomes. We explored the impact of erectile dysfunction on quality of life in a cohort of hemodialysis subjects. METHODS: A random sample of 302 Philadelphia area hemodialysis (HD) subjects was enrolled using a cross-sectional design. Subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire including items on sexual function, past medical history, and quality of life. Linear regression (accounting for sampling design by weighted estimation methods) was used to examine the associations between various measures of quality of life (the dependent variables) and erectile dysfunction (ED) and other variables (the predictor variables). RESULTS: We found the emotional domains of the SF-36, a multi-purpose, short-form health survey with 36 questions, to be more profoundly associated with ED than the physical domains. Using the physical and mental components of the SF-12, a new 12-item short form health survey as predictors of ED, only the mental composite score (MCS) was statistically significant after adjusting for age and diabetes (P = 0.008). Subjects with ED had significantly lower quality of life mean scores. In particular, ED was associated with poorer social interaction (mean score difference, -10.3, adjusted P < 0.001), decreased emotional well-being (-12.9, adjusted P = 0.005), more role limitations due to emotional problems (-22.9, adjusted P = 0.01), and poorer social function (-17.8, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Recent advances in therapies for ED warrant that the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction be included in the global health assessment by the nephrologists and primary care providers of patients with renal insufficiency, as it may improve the quality of life of patients.