Comparing problems of patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis referring to medical university's hospitals

Abstract

Background: Renal failure affects patients' physical, psychological and social health. Various treatments prolong the life of these patients, but they face many physical, emotional, social and economical difficulties. This study aims to investigate and compare the problems of these patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: This is a descriptive comparative study on 72 patients in two groups of hemodialysis (36 patients) and peritoneal dialysis (36 patients) referring to Al-Zahra and Noor hospitals in Isfahan. Data were collected using five questionnaires on sleeping disorders, depression, marital satisfaction, tiredness and readjustment with society. The questionnaires were completed either by the patients themselves or by interview and data were analyzed using independent t-test and chi square test.

Results: Demographic data were the same in both groups and diabetes and blood pressure were the most common causes of kidney failure in both groups. The mean scores of sleeping disorders and tiredness in hemodialysis group was higher than peritoneal dialysis group, but there was no significant difference between the mean scores of depression, social readjustment and marital satisfaction of two groups.

Conclusion: Dialysis is a complicated problematic treatment, causing patients lots of tension and stress. The results of this study showed that hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients have sleep disorders and tiredness, but the severity of tiredness and sleep disorder is higher in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, nurses should pay more attention to these patients and provide them more support and care.

KEY WORDS: Chronic renal failure, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis