HEMODIALYSIS

PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING

Abstract

Objective: To determine the nature and frequency of psychosocial stressors
faced by the patients on hemodialysis admitted in Renal Dialysis Unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan.
Study design: A descriptive study. Place & duration of study: The study was conducted in the
Renal Dialysis Unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan, from 1st May, 2014 to 31st May, 2014. Subjects
& methods: The sample consisted of 170 (112 Male, 58 Females) consecutive inpatients on
Hemodialysis Treatment. They were interviewed and Hemodialysis Stressors Scale (HSS) was
administrated to know the frequency of Hemodialysis Stressors. Results: Results showed that
all the patients reported Physiological and Psychosocial stressors. Most frequent physical
stressors included feeling tired (92%) and stiffening of joints (91%). In psychosocial stressors
restriction of fluid (100%), dependence on dialysis machine and/ or equipment (95%), limitation
of physical activity (93%), changes in family responsibilities (93%), dependency on nurses
and technicians (93%), length of treatment (92%), dependency on physicians (91%), sleep
disturbance (90%) and limitation of food (93%) were the most frequently reported. Conclusions:
We concluded that both physiological and psychosocial stressors were present in significant
majority of patients.