Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of post-dialysis fatigue on mortality and hospital admissions in the short term.
Methodology: This cohort study was done on patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for a minimum of three months. Exclusion criteria included acutely unwell or unwilling patients. Post-dialysis fatigue at baseline was identified by verbal inquiry, and its duration was noted. Patients were then followed up for the next six months to record all-cause mortality and hospital admissions.
Results: There were 190 patients, including 141 (74.22%) males and 49 (25.78%) females, aged 52.18±16.01 years. Of these, 107 (56.32%) were undergoing dialysis twice a week and 83 (43.68%) thrice a week. Post-dialysis fatigue was seen in 139 (73.16%) patients, 27 (19.42%) of whom were admitted. Out of 51 (26.84%) patients without post-dialysis fatigue, 6 (11.76%) got admitted (relative risk for hospitalization: 1.65; 95% confidence interval 0.72, 3.77; p=0.233). Duration of post-dialysis fatigue was not related to hospitalization (area under ROC=0.591; 95% confidence interval 0.482, 0.700; p>0.999). During the follow-up period, 7 (5.04%) patients with post-dialysis fatigue and 2 (3.92%) without post-dialysis fatigue died (p>0.999). The relative risk for mortality was 1.28 (95% confidence interval 0.28, 5.98). Duration of post-dialysis fatigue was not related to mortality (area under ROC=0.514; 95% confidence interval 0.341, 0.686; p=0.891).
Conclusion: Post-dialysis fatigue does not predict a six-month risk of hospital admissions and mortality amongst patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Key words: Hemodialysis, hospitalization, mortality, post-dialysis fatigue.