Hemodialysis and Pain

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the type, frequency, location, intensity and the characteristics of the pain in hemodialysis patients.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Ninety-fi ve hemodialysis patients were investigated using McGillMelzack pain questionnaire. Location, nature, frequency and intensity of the pain were recorded according to this form. In addition, pain was classifi ed with regard to duration as instant, acute and chronic.

RESULTS: Sixty patients (63.1%) reported a problem with pain, the others (35 patients - 36.8%) reported not to have pain. When considering the relationship of pain with time; 24.1% of the patients had continuous, steady, fi xed pain and 58.6% of the patients had rhythmic, periodic, intermittent pain while 17.2% had generalized, momentary, temporary pain. When the pain was evaluated in terms of severity, it was found that 31 patients (52%) had mild and disturbing pain, while 29 patients (48%) had severe or very severe (intolerable) pain. It was also detected that 60 patients had instant pain, 25 had acute pain and 31 had chronic pain.

CONCLUSION: Pain is a common and chronic problem in patients undergoing HD and it is seriously necessary to address treating the pain along with other systemic diseases in order to increase the quality of life of individuals.