Relationship between personality factors and control of water intake in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between emotional and physical aspects has been recurrently studied in haemodialysis patients. Objective: To analyse the personality of haemodialysis patients and to determine the relationship between personality and the variables sex and water intake. Material and Method: Fifty-four patients on periodic haemodialysis were studied. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was carried out. The NEO-FFI personality inventory was administered. Data on interdialysis water gain were collected. Frequency values of test scores were quantified. Comparisons were made with the non-CKD reference population, and correlations were made with the variables sex and interdialysis water gain. Results: Among the personality factors, statistically significant differences were found with respect to the non-RCD reference population. Regarding the neuroticism factor, a tendency towards superiority was found (p=0.000), more in women than in men; while in the extroversion (p=0.000) and openness to experience (p=0.000) factors, the tendency was towards inferiority. No statistically significant differences were found between the factors analysed in relation to interdialysis water gain. Conclusions: Haemodialysis patients tend to be emotionally unstable, more women than men, with a tendency to be introverted, with rigid ideas and reduced interests. Control of fluid intake does not depend on any of the factors studied.