Fatigue Associated with Kidney Disease Symptoms in Female Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Song, Hyo Jeong; Kim, Hyeon Ju

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to provide fundamental data for nursing interventions to prevent and reduce fatigue and to identify fatigue and kidney disease symptoms in female patients on hemodialysis and evaluate factors associated with this fatigue. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was used with self-administered questionnaires which included general characteristics and the fatigue scale developed by Brown, Dittner, Findly, & Wessely (2005) (Cronbach's alpha=0.98 and for present study alpha=0.96) and a review of laboratory data. From eight dialysis units, 84 women were enrolled. Data were analyzed using the SAS program.
RESULTS
Mean score for fatigue was 49.4 (range 16~78) and fatigue by research variables was significantly different by age (0.046), employment status (0.041), menopause (0.009), hypoalbuminemia (0.022), length of time on dialysis (0.48) and kidney disease symptoms (0.000). Correlations between fatigue and lack of strength, dizziness, and cramps after dialysis were significantly higher. Factors affecting fatigue were kidney disease symptoms and length of time on dialysis, explaining 49.2% of fatigue.
CONCLUSION
A comprehensive approach considering kidney disease symptoms, length of time on hemodialysis, age, menopause, and hypoalbuminemia are required for interventions to reduce fatigue in female patients on hemodialysis.