Factors Associated with Fatigue and Dialysis Symptom Burden Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Fatigue and dialysis symptom burden are common among patients undergoing hemodialysis and may adversely affect quality of life. However, evidence regarding the relationship between patient characteristics and these outcomes remains inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the associations between patient characteristics, fatigue, and dialysis symptom burden among patients undergoing hemodialysis. This cross-sectional study included 70 patients receiving hemodialysis. Variables assessed were age, sex, educational level, occupation, duration of hemodialysis, and sleep disturbances. Fatigue was measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F), while dialysis symptom burden was assessed using the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI). Data were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. The median age was 47 years (IQR=12), and the median duration of hemodialysis was 16 months (IQR=29). Most participants were female (54.3%), had secondary education (61.4%), were self-employed (41.4%), and reported sleep disturbances (72.9%). Age, sex, occupation, and duration of hemodialysis were not significantly associated with fatigue or dialysis symptom burden (p>0.05). Educational level was significantly associated with dialysis symptom burden (p=0.044) but not fatigue (p=0.249). Sleep disturbances were significantly associated with both fatigue (p=0.032) and dialysis symptom burden (p=0.021). Sleep disturbance was the only factor significantly associated with both fatigue and dialysis symptom burden. Interventions targeting sleep quality may help reduce fatigue and symptom burden among patients undergoing hemodialysis.