Adequacy of dialysis in patients of chronic kidney disease

Objective: To study the different signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients who are on dialysis and to study adequacy of dialysis. Methodology: This prospective cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Medicine, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from December 2016 to April 2018. A sample of 100 patients of CKD on dialysis was selected by using non probability convenient sampling technique. Data were collected by using pre designed questionnaire and was analyzed by SPSS 16. Results: Out of 100 patients, 59 were male and 41 females. Mean age was 42.3 +/- 12.2 years (range 19-7). CKD was more prevalent in males with male to female ratio of 1.75:1. Weight loss was seen in 39%, vomiting in 24%, fatigue in 62%, sleep disturbance in 28% and breathing problems in 26% patients. More than half of the patients had their hemoglobin levels between 8-10mg/dl and only 9% had hemoglobin more than 12mg/dl. Only 8% patients had blood urea levels less than 60mg/dl, 39% had their blood urea levels in range of 80-100mg/dl while 25% had urea more than 101mg/dl. Only 6% patients had their creatinine levels less than 3.3mg/dl and more than 75% have creatinine level above 5.4mg/dl. Conclusion: CKD patients who were on regular and adequate dialysis had less uremic symptoms, mortality rates and good quality of life.