The frailty in older hemodialysis patients and associations with depression, functional status, dialysis adequacy

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the level of frailty in older hemodialysis patients and to examine the relationship between their functional capacity, depression, and laboratory variables. Method: This was a cross-sectional study, and the data were collected 243 dialysis patients aged 65 and over between May 2021 and May 2022. Results: The frailty rate was 49%. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the frailty and age, hemodialysis vintage, and the number of hospitalizations. The frailty was negatively correlated with body mass index, Kt/V, Albumin, and parathyroid hormone. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between frailty and depression and a negative correlation between functional capacity. Conclusion: A relationship was found between frailty and depression, functional capacity, and laboratory variables. In addition, the variables affecting the level of frailty in geriatric dialysis patients included dialysis vintage, dialysis adequacy, number of hospitalizations, albumin level, and patient weight.