Pain in Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the frequency, causes and severity of pain in patients undergoing Hemodialysis (HD) treatment in this descriptive cross-sectional study.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The study sample consisted of 150 HD patients undergoing treatment at two HD centers in Uşak, Turkey. Data collection was achieved using a Patient Information Form and the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire, and evaluation was made using means, the t test, and the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.

RESULTS: It was found that nearly all HD patients (96%) experienced pain that was light or at the level of discomfort for most but at a severe, very severe or unbearable level for the rest. The pain spread from various regions of the body such as the head, abdomen, and upper and lower extremities. Patients chose both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to cope with the pain. We found that gender, a weekly frequency of HD, and living alone were factors that influenced the severity of pain.

CONCLUSION: Almost all patients undergoing HD experience pain and holistic care is important to relieve this pain. Effective holistic treatment necessitates a specific pain diagnosis, planned treatment and care, localizing the pain and determination of the factors that affect it.