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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 40495433 DOI: 10.1111/hdi.13271

Impact of Thirst Perception on Health-Related Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Study.

Hemodial Int

Authors: Jyana G Morais, Murilo Guedes, Ana B Barra, John W Larkin, Maria E F Canziani, Roberto Pecoits-Filho, Fabiana B Nerbass

Affiliations

  • Pontifícia Universidade Católica Do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Fundação Pró Rim, Joinville, SC, Brazil.
  • Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
  • Fresenius Medical Care Brazil, Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil.
  • Fresenius Medical Care Global Medical Office, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
  • Pontifícia Universidade Católica Do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
  • Fundação Pró Rim, Joinville, SC, Brazil.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Thirst distress is a common yet underexplored symptom among hemodialysis (HD) patients, with limited understanding of its impact on quality of life. This study aims to evaluate thirst perception, identify factors associated with its intensity, and examine its relationship with quality of life in a multicenter cohort of HD patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis utilized baseline data from the Hemodiafiltration on Physical Activity and Self-Reported Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial (HDFit). Participants were over 18 years old from 13 dialysis units across Brazil. Thirst perception was assessed using the Dialysis Thirst Inventory (DTI) questionnaire, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. We compared participants with low versus high thirst perception based on the median DTI score and conducted multiple regression analysis to identify independent determinants of physical and mental HRQoL components.

FINDINGS

The study sample comprised 195 patients (male: 71%; median age: 54 [41-66] years; 29% with diabetes) from 13 dialysis centers, with chronic HD duration up to 24 months. The median DTI score was 17 (14-22). Participants with higher thirst perception (DTI > 17) were younger, had a higher prevalence of lower income and educational levels, and a lower prevalence of fluid overload. Multiple regression analysis, adjusted for demographic, clinical, and nutritional variables, revealed that increased thirst perception was independently associated with poorer physical and mental HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

In a multicenter HD population, higher thirst perception was an independent determinant of diminished health-related quality of life.

MeSH

Regression Analysis, Quality Of Life, Perception, Signs And Symptoms, Prevalence, Thirst, Renal Dialysis