DETERMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS AT CIVIL HOSPITAL, SANGHAR

Abstract

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can significantly influence a patient's nutritional status, leading to malnutrition. Malnutrition is associated with an increase in morbidity and hospitalizations, as well as a decrease in functional status. All these factors contribute to compromised physical, emotional, and psychological health, leading to a lower quality of life among End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients.

Objectives: This study focuses on assessing the nutritional status and quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis, to determine what factors influence the nutritional status and quality of life in the patient population at the dialysis unit of Civil Hospital, Sanghar.

Methods: This study used an observational, analytical, cross-sectional design. The study was conducted from January 2026 to April 2026. A sample size of n=66 patients receiving dialysis in the hospital was included. Participants were between the ages of 20 and 80 years and had been receiving dialysis for a minimum of three months. Individuals under the age of 20 and those on dialysis for less than three months were excluded from the research study. Data were collected at a single point in time from CKD patients attending the dialysis unit at Civil Hospital, Sanghar.

Results: The study explored the relationship between nutritional status and quality of life among hemodialysis patients. Analytical analysis using linear regression on SPSS version 27.0 found that R² = 0.278, β = 0.247, and p = 0.021, significantly showing that both genders experience sleep disturbances. For patients who experienced weight loss over the last three to six months and exhibited symptoms after eating, the results were highly significant (R² = 0.766, β = 0.400, p < 0.001), with nausea being a prominent symptom in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Furthermore, regression analysis on the nutritional dependent variable, Body Mass Index (BMI), showed a highly significant relationship between a normal BMI and consuming a high-protein diet during hemodialysis (R² = 4.32, β = 0.513, p = 0.006). After analytical analysis comparing the dependent variable 'engaging in physical activity' with the independent variable 'patients returning to physical activity after HD,' a poor correlation was observed (R² = 0.44, β = 0.341, p < 0.001), though it remained highly statistically significant.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that poor nutritional status is common among hemodialysis patients and is significantly associated with a decreased quality of life. Addressing nutritional deficiencies and providing comprehensive care can improve both physical health and overall well-being in this population.