QUALITY OF LIFE OF GREEK PATIENTS WITH END STAGE RENAL DISEASE UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS

An evaluation of the quality of life of patients with end stage kidney disease undergoing haemodialysis in the Greek population was conducted to understand whether this quality could be improved. Comparisons were made with a similar study conducted in United States in regards to the effects of kidney disease in daily life, burden of kidney disease, work status, cognitive function, quality of social interaction, sexual function, social support, physical functioning, role physical on daily routine, pain, general health perceptions, role emotional, emotional well being, social function and energy/fatigue. Any differences are discussed and analysed. Sexual problems were found to be more prominent in this study, but the emotional status has greater influence in quality of life in the US study. The results were more positive in Greece with respect to dialysis staff encouragement, patient satisfaction, as well as acceptance and the understanding of illness. The results from our study reflect the differences of the health care systems in various countries as well as population‐related beliefs and values.     

A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN PATIENTS WITH END‐STAGE RENAL DISEASE UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS

Many studies reveal the presence of sleep disturbances in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis. The objective of this study was to identify the incidence of sleep disturbances in a sample of 112 patients, being treated by a dialysis centre. Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were interviewed by means of a questionnaire. The average age was 63.97, 79 male (70.5%) and 33 female (29.4%). The principal pathology underlying subjects' ESRD was hypertension (27.6%) and cardiovascular pathologies were the accompanying pathologies most suffered (75.8%). Sleep disturbances were noted in 54 patients (48.2%). These findings confirm the results of the literature, but less daytime sleepiness and nighttime waking occurred with this study group.     

IMPACT OF HEPARIN LOCKING FREQUENCY ON PREVENTING TEMPORARY DIALYSIS CATHETER DYSFUNCTION IN HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

A prospective analysis was conducted comparing dysfunction attributable to catheter thrombosis in subjects who received a heparin catheter lock three times a week (n = 15) to those who received a heparin lock six times a week (n = 15) immediately after the insertion of a temporary haemodialysis catheter. Thrombus related catheter removal occurred in two patients in control but no patients in the experiment group. Heparin locking six times a week was found to be effective in prolonging the mean of the first day where difficulty was experienced in aspiration. It also prevented any possible difficulty in catheter flushing. Increased locking frequency prevents any thrombus accumulation within the temporary catheter, while it has limited but significant preventive effect on thrombus accumulated around the catheter.     

AN ATYPICAL LOCALISATION OF TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS: A CASE REPORT

Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare skeletal system localisation of TB in haemodialysis patients. In this paper, a case of Pott's disease with a psoas muscle abscess is reported. The patient had been on the dialysis programme for five years and was complaining of back pain, weight loss and weakness, which were investigated. A thoracolumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple paravertebral abscesses invading the psoas muscle. TB diagnosis was made by microbiological analysis of specimen, which was obtained by fine needle aspiration under computerised tomography guidance.