Dietary and Sleep Quality Association in Hemodialysis Patients

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality is a common issue among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who undergo dialysis. Nutritional habits are associated with sleep hygiene in patients undergoing dialysis. The objective of this study was to examine the potential correlation between nutritional status and sleep quality in individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 160 hemodialysis patients. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to measure food intake in participants. The Persian-validated version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Patients were classified as poor or good sleepers with a PSQI score of <5 and >5, respectively. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of hemodialysis patients had bad sleep hygiene. There was a significant association between sleep quality and educational status and age (P < 0.001). Poor sleepers were older (61.65 years versus 51.12) and less educated (31.1% versus 4%). However, there was no significant difference in the intake of micro- and macronutrients between poor and good sleepers (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that sleep quality has no significant relationship with nutrient intake in hemodialysis patients. Demographic factors, such as age and educational status, have played a more effective role than nutritional factors in patients’ sleep quality.