ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Fear of falling (FOF) has important clinical and psychological consequences. This study evaluated the factors associated with FOF in hemodialysis patients and compared with the FOF reported by age-gender matched individuals without chronic kidney disease. METHODS: This cross sectional study included hemodialysis group (n = 60, 55.4 ± 7.6 years, 55.0% male) and control group (n = 40, 55.1 ± 7.5 years, 52.5% male). FOF was assessed by the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). Physical function was evaluated using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Timed Up and Go test, 4-m gait speed, isometric handgrip force and 10-repetition sit-to-stand test. The physical and mental components of quality of life was evaluated by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. RESULTS: The FES-I score was higher in the hemodialysis group compared to the control group (28.2 ± 9.7 vs. 23.3 ± 5.1, p = 0.020). In addition, the prevalence of individuals with a higher concern about falling was greater in the hemodialysis group (41.7 vs. 17.5%, p = 0.033). Multiple linear regression showed that the FES-I score was associated with the Mini-BESTest score and the physical component summary of quality of life (coefficient of determination of 0.51 and an adjusted coefficient of determination of 0.46). CONCLUSION: FOF was associated with poor postural balance and reduced physical component of quality of life in patients on hemodialysis and these patients showed higher FOF compared to individuals without chronic kidney disease.
Subject(s)
Accidental Falls , Fear , Renal Dialysis/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Physical Examination , Quality of Life , Self ReportABSTRACT
Hemodialysis patients have a marked decrease in functional capacity when compared to healthy individuals. We evaluated the factors associated with functional capacity in hemodialysis patients. A total of 102 hemodialysis patients were evaluated. The patients were submitted to a 6-min walk test, peripheral muscle strength tests, and an evaluation of quality of life, anxiety, and depression. The laboratory data were measured. The 6-min walk test distance correlated significantly with age, educational level, hemoglobin, creatinine, number of comorbidities, peripheral muscle strength, and some domains of SF-36 quality of life questionnaire and depression (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that educational level, hemoglobin, peripheral muscle strength, and depression significantly affected the 6-min walk test distance (P < 0.05). The multiple correlation coefficient was 0.74, and the squared multiple correlation coefficient adjusted was 0.52. In conclusion, functional capacity was significantly associated with educational level, hemoglobin, peripheral muscle strength, and depression in hemodialysis patients.
