AHMET ZİYA ŞAHİN, NURGÜL ÖZDEMİR, ŞENGÜL KOCAMER ŞAHİN, ÇİĞDEM ÖZDEMİR
European Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology - 2025;7(2):71-75
OBJECTIVE Frailty is associated with poorer outcomes in dialysis patients, including higher mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between pain levels, frailty, and quality of life in older hemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study included 103 patients with CKD undergoing HD. Assessment tools included the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) assessment, and the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM). Patients who scored <24 on the Standardized Mini-Mental test and >7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were excluded. RESULTS The patients’ mean age was 68.9±2.4 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 54:49. Significant correlations were found between GPM and WHOQOL-BREF (p=0.01, r=-0.659), GPM and EFS (p=0.02, r=0.622), and EFS and WHOQOL-BREF (p=0.01, r=-0.475). In a generalized linear regression model adjusted for age, comorbid conditions, unemployment, body mass index and education level, GPM was associated with higher EFS scores (β=1.69±0.31, p<0.001) and lower WHOQOL-BREF scores (β=-0.456±0.059, p<0.001). CONCLUSION In older patients receiving HD, pain appears to contribute to worsening frailty and reduced quality of life. Effective pain management should be considered to mitigate frailty in this population.
