Quality of life, musculoskeletal symptoms, and physical activity level in patients with chronic kidney disease on regular hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes several disabilities and limitations that can cause pain and inactivity and negatively impact quality of life (QoL), however, we do not know if these changes are associated. Objective: to describe the profile of patients undergoing hemodialysis, identify the main musculoskeletal symptoms, level of physical activity and health-related QoL, and verify whether there is an association between the evaluated parameters. Methods: analytical, quantitative, and cross-sectional research, conducted in patients with CKD in a hemodialysis program. Applied questionnaires included the: Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL SF-36), International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version (IPAQ), and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Results: 25 individuals participated in this study, 60% of whom were female. In the KDQOL SF-36, the worst scores were “role limitations due to physical health " and “physical function” and the best “stimulation by the dialysis team” and “sexual function. The lower back was the area most affected by pain in the last 12 months (56%) and 7 days (40%). In the IPAQ, 56% of patients were classified as active. We found a positive association between the level of physical activity and QoL in the domains “general health”, “physical functioning” and “energy and fatigue” and a positive association between the “general QoL average” and “absence of activity limitations in the last 12 months”. Conclusion: CKD, especially when associated with a sedentary lifestyle appears to be associated with poor quality of life in patients, and patients’ QoL seems to be more influenced by activity limitations than by pain itself. In addition, musculoskeletal pain is common in CKD patients.