AI Insight
This cross-sectional study of 174 hemodialysis patients in Bahrain found that 91% experienced poor sleep quality. The main contributing factors identified were older age, poor self-rated health, anemia, excessive weight gain between dialysis sessions, pain after dialysis, and use of sleep medications. These findings suggest that sleep disturbances in hemodialysis patients result from multiple interconnected physiological and treatment-related factors.
Why it matters
The extremely high prevalence of sleep problems among hemodialysis patients indicates a significant gap in comprehensive care that could affect patient outcomes and quality of life. The study supports the need for routine sleep assessment and psychosocial support as standard components of nephrology care programs, particularly in Gulf Arab countries where hemodialysis patient populations are growing.
Understand the Science
by Hala Sanad, Khaldoon Al-Roomi, Zahra Abdlmjeed, Mariam Ebrahim, Omar Al Omari, Rasha Eweida, Mohamed Elsehrawy, Khulood Alasfoor, Yusuf Altahoo, Eshrak Hashem, Ahmed El-Monshed, Magda Bayoumi
Background
The number of patients on hemodialysis is steadily increasing in Gulf Arab countries, including Bahrain. Such treatment modality has a negative impact on the quality of life, particularly sleep quality. This study aimed to assess the factors affecting the sleep pattern disturbances of hemodialysis patients in Bahrain.
Materials and Methods
A cross-sectional design was employed. A convenience sample of 174 patients was recruited to the study from one of the main dialysis centers in Bahrain. Data was obtained via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were used. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Most of the patients had poor sleep patterns (91%). It would appear that the main contributing factors are older age (p=0.009), self-rated health (p=0.001), anemia (p=0.002), excessive weight gain, and pain symptoms after dialysis session (p=0.001, p=0.001 respectively) and taking medications for sleep (p=0.016).
Conclusion
There is an extremely high level of poor sleep quality among patients on hemodialysis. The contributing factors are multifactorial. There is an urgent need to include sleep assessment, mental health screening, and psychosocial support education into the routine nephrology care program.