Rehabilitation of in-centre haemodialysis patients

MC Law, YH Hui, ALC Cheung, ALK Chan, PKT Li
Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong

A study was undertaken to investigate the rehabilitation status of in-center haemodialysis patients at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Thirty-four patients (23 males and 11 females) were recruited and interviewed using a set of questionnaires. Seventy-seven per cent of patients were able to conduct normal physical activities at least part of the time. General well-being and treatment-related stress and distress were found to be important factors affecting patients� functional capacity. No significant relationship between the Karnofsky activity index and the haemoglobin, serum albumin, or pre-dialysis plasma creatinine levels was found. Fifty-two per cent of patients were employed, 27% unemployed, and 21% listed their occupation as housewives. Fifty-six per cent of unemployed patients were young (under 36 years of age). Fifty-three per cent of patients said their employment status had decreased since their illness began. Eighty-two per cent of patients and 91% advised that interests/hobbies and holidays were affected, respectively. Sixty-two per cent of patients admitted having to play a reduced role in the family.

Hong Kong Med J 1995;1:97-102

Key words: Rehabilitation; Haemodialysis units, hospital; Disability evaluation