Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Fatigue Among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: End-stage renal disease is a progressive and permanent deterioration in renal function in which the body’s ability to maintain metabolic and fluid and electrolyte balance is lost, resulting in uremia, increased serum creatinine levels, and elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (azotemia). It develops over many years or results from repeated attacks of acute kidney disease. Hemodialysis (HD) is used to treat highly complex and permanent kidney failure. In addition to therapeutic effects, repeated HD can cause many complications and health problems. Objectives: To assess the activities of daily living (ADL) and fatigue among patients undergoing HD. Material and Method: A descriptive study was carried out in the month of February 2021. The assessment of daily living activities was done using the Barthel index. Fatigue was assessed by using the Fatigue Assessment Scale. The purposive sampling technique was used ( N = 100). The data were collected by interviewing participants using a semi-structured interview schedule. Result: One-third of patients (35%) were moderately dependent, 31% were independent, 22% were slightly dependent, 8% were severely dependent, and 4% were totally dependent while performing the ADL (mean score, 84.50 ± 21.67). The assessment of fatigue revealed that 37% patients had moderate fatigue, 33% were severely fatigued, and 30% had mild fatigue (mean score, 30.48 ± 10.51). Conclusion: Patients on HD have a dependency of varying levels while performing the ADL. The patients also experience mild to severe fatigue. These problems require care and management by nurses in the hospital or by the caregivers at home.