Loneliness Level and Its Associated Factors in Patients With Hemodialysis

Abstract

Verify the level of loneliness and its relationship with socioeconomic and health conditions, social support, family functionality, and depressive symptoms in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Analysis of secondary data, with a primary cross-sectional investigation, correlational with a quantitative approach, carried out in 2019, with 80 patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Applied instruments: socio-demographic, economic, and health condition characterization, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire9, and the Family APGAR. Showed female prevalence (55%), white ethnicity (65%), and mean age 59.63 years. In the perception of loneliness, the highest index was (55%), moderately high. Social support scored worst in the Positive Social Interaction domain, mean 74.31. In depression, showed prevalence of severe depression (28.7%). Family functioning showed good score (68.8%). There was a weak negative correlation between loneliness and all domains of Social Support, besides Family Functioning.