Multidimensional Fatigue Syndrome and Dialysis Adequacy among Elderly Patients under Hemodialysis Treatment

Abstract

Background: Multidimensional fatigue syndrome (MFS) is referred to as extreme inability accompanied by decline in physical functional capacity and impairment of intellectual function, such as loss of concentration. Elderly people are more prone to MFS comparing to other age groups. It is expected that adequacy of dialysis affect the process of MFS among patients under dialysis. The purpose of the study is to assess MFS and its association to adequacy of dialysis among dialysis patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study is conducted on  patients under dialysis aged 50 years and above. Convenience sampling was used to collect the data. The main instrument of the study was Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory- Short Form (MFSI-SF). To assess subjects’ mental status Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) was applied. Subjects with MMSE greater than 18 were included in the study.

Results: The participants’ range of age were 50 to 81 and the mean age of them were 62 years old. According to the findings of this study, of 43 eligible participants, 33 patients (76.7%) were suffering from different level of MFS. Moreover, adequacy of dialysis among dialysis patients were favorably high in 10 patients (23.2%), moderate in 24 patients (55.8%) and low in 9 patients (21%). Multiple regression showed that MFS (P=0.01) and anemia (P=0.04) were significantly associated with adequacy of hemodialysis among elderly patients.

Conclusions: This study  is in line with hypothesis of the study that adequacy of hemodialysis reduces MFS among elderly patients under hemodialysis. It is highly recommended that adequacy of hemodialysis and Hb level  should be under close monitoring to overcome MFS among senior citizens under hemodialysis treatment.