Impact of frequent intradialytic hypotension on quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis

BACKGROUND: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is frequently accompanied by symptoms of nausea, dizziness, fatigue, muscle spasm, and arrhythmia, which can adversely impact the daily lives of patients who undergo hemodialysis and may lead to decreased quality of life (QoL). This study employed the KDQOL™-36 scale to evaluate the impact of frequent IDH, based on the definition determined by predialysis blood pressure (BP) and nadir systolic blood pressure (SBP) thresholds, on the QoL of patients. METHODS: This is a single center retrospective cohort study involving 160 hemodialysis patients. We enrolled adult patients with uremia who received routine hemodialysis (4 h/time, 3 times/week) from October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2021. Frequent IDH was defined as an absolute nadir SBP < 90 mmHg occurring in no less than 30% of hemodialysis sessions when predialysis SBP < 159 mmHg (or < 100 mmHg when predialysis BP ≥ 160 mmHg).The differences between patients with and without frequent IDH were compared using the independent t test, Kruskal‒Wallis test, or chi-square test. The primary visit was at month 36, and the remaining visits were exploratory outcomes. RESULTS: Compared to patients with infrequent IDH at baseline, those with frequent IDH had significantly lower scores on the symptoms and discomfort of kidney disease dimension at all follow-up points (P < 0.05). The symptoms and discomfort of kidney disease dimension were worse in patients with frequent IDH. Those with frequent IDH had a significantly poorer QoL regarding the dimensions of symptoms and discomfort of kidney disease and the impact of kidney disease on life. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study suggest an association between frequent IDH and QoL dimensions of symptoms and discomfort of kidney disease and the impact of kidney disease on life dimension under the definition of frequent IDH.