[Sleep disorders and quality of life in patients on hemodialysis]

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to determine the rate of sleep disorders in patients on hemodialysis and to evaluate the association between quality of sleep and quality of life in these patients.

METHODS: A total of 81 hemodialysis patients were enrolled in the study. Quality of sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): higher scores indicate worse sleep quality. Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire.

RESULTS: In the present study 54 dialysis patients (66.7%) were "poor sleepers" (PSQI>5). The SF-36 mental component summary (PCS) and physical component summary (MCS) correlated with the global PSQI score (PCS, r=-0.463, p<0.001; MCS, r=-0.426, p<0.001), age (PCS, r=-0.330, p=0.003; MCS, r=-0.381, p<0.001), hemoglobin (PCS, r=0.289, p=0.009; MCS, r=0.301, p=0.006), comorbidity (PCS, r=-0.286, p=0.01; MCS, r=-0.283, p=0.011). Dialysis patients with global PSQI< or =5 ("good sleepers") had higher SF-36 PCS and MCS scores (PCS, 51.15+/-17.2 vs. 34.72+/-16.58, p<0.001; MCS, 59.52+/-17.43 vs. 41.92+/-18.34, p<0.001) and higher hemoglobin levels (102.74+/-12.34 g/l vs. 95.67+/-10.57 g/l, p=0.009) compared with "poor sleepers" (PSQI>5).

CONCLUSIONS: In the present study two-thirds of dialysis patients (66.7%) were "poor sleepers". Lower hemoglobin levels correlated with worse quality of sleep and quality of life. We hypothesize that correction of anemia may improve quality of life in patients on hemodialysis. Poor sleep is associated with lower quality of life in hemodialysis patients.