Evaluation of Physical Activity with a Pedometer in Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that the physical activity of those with chronic illness is decreased. We aimed to evaluate the daily physical activities of hemodialysis (HD) patients with a pedometer.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The study was conducted on 66 HD patients. Patients were given a pedometer and the number of steps were measured for 2 consecutive days; one HD day and one non-HD day. We compared the number of steps and clinical features of the patients.

RESULTS: The average number of steps with a pedometer was 3426 ± 3357 (278 - 14713) steps / two days. 62 (94%) patients took less than 5000 steps/per day. There was no significant correlation between the number of steps and HD duration, body mass index, interdialytic weight gain, serum phosphorus, albumin, and hemoglobin levels (p > 0.05). There was no difference in the number of steps between male and female patients (p > 0.05). However, as the age of the patients increased, the number of steps decreased (r = -0.43, p < 0.001). Patients with more steps had higher systolic blood pressure (r = 0.31, p = 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Patients with cardiovascular disease took fewer steps (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of HD patients are sedentary. Elderly dialysis patients and those with cardiovascular disease have even less physical activity.