Factors associated with treatment-related stressors in hemodialysis patients.

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to describe the treatment-related stressors of incenter hemodialysis patients, to identify relationships between stressors and selected demographic and illness variables, and to identify changes in stressors over time. Data were collected at two points in time, 3 months apart. The data were obtained from 86 patients in 2 inner-city midwest dialysis units. Structured interviews were conducted using one open-ended question and the Hemodialysis Stressor Scale. The greatest stressors were fluid limitations, the length of dialysis, and vacation limitations. There was a consistent trend for almost all stressors to become more intense over time, with some specific stressors increasing significantly. Patients new to dialysis and those with more education had relatively more stressors. An important serendipitous finding was that some treatment-related stressors were not troublesome because subjects chose not to follow certain treatment recommendations. In-depth evaluation in relation to individual stressors is required before adequate individual intervention strategies can be developed. Nurses need to be educated about the factors that are stressful to patients, so they can support them appropriately.