Paper: The Relationships of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients (19th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice)

Wednesday, 9 July 2008

Mei-Li Lai, BS, RN , Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan

Miaofen Yen, PhD, RN , Department of Nursing & Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan city, Taiwan

Learning Objective 1: explore the important factors influencing quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Learning Objective 2: Expected results aimed to understand the basic personal attributes, nutrition, physical activity and quality of life related to hemodialysis patients.

The purpose of this study will probe at the relationships of nutrition, physical activity and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Many studies have indicated that quality of life is an important factor that can forecast the death and the rate of hospitalization among this patient group. Studies on the quality of life of hemodialysis patients found that the satisfaction of physiological health is the lowest. Hemodialysis patients are prone to systemic weakness, thirst, fatigue, weakness, cramps and other symptoms, often as a result of anemia and low albumin levels. Additionally, anemia, low albumin and a decrease in the immune system is caused by malnutrition, exacerbating physical symptoms and restricting the patients' physical activity. Such detrimental consequences may result in the increasing rate of hospitalization and even death, showing that nutrition, physical activity and quality of life in hemodialysis patients are closely connected.

This study is a descriptive correlational study with a randomly sampling approach. Data was collected through structured questionnaires in the hemodialysis centers of one organization's North, Central and South Taiwan branch. Participants consisted of hemodialysis outpatients who have been on hemodialysis for one year or more. The researchers collected a recent blood biochemical test value and asked participants to fill out the questionnaires either by themselves or with the help of others. The measurements included the physical activity scale (Typical Week Physical Activity SurveyGTWPAS), the nutritional value of the blood biochemical test and the quality of life and kidney disease scale (Kidney Disease Quality of Life; KDQOL-SFTM). Expected results aimed to understand the nutrition, physical activity and quality of life related to hemodialysis patients. The results of this study can become a reference guide that will assist clinical staffs in taking care of hemodialysis patients.

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