Higher Symptom Frequency and Severity After the Long Interdialytic Interval in Patients on Maintenance Intermittent Hemodialysis.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2022.09.032
Authors: Chauhan, Kinsuk; Wen, Huei Hsun; Gupta, Neepa; Nadkarni, Girish; Coca, Steven; Chan, Lili

Abstract: Patients on intermittent hemodialysis (HD) have a high symptom burden. Though studies report higher hospitalizations and mortality after the long interdialytic interval, whether symptoms vary based on the interdialytic interval is unclear. This is a prospective observational study of patients over the age of 18 who received in-center HD. Patients were surveyed on the presence and severity of 20 different symptoms at the end of 12 HD sessions. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of severity for each symptom by the interval. Multivariable generalized estimating equation with Poisson regression by repeated measure method was used to determine the association of interdialytic interval and symptom frequency while adjusting for potential confounders. Symptoms are more common after the long interdialytic interval. Clinical assessment and research evaluating patient symptoms need to be cognizant of when patients are surveyed or include the length of interdialytic interval as a confounding variable.