A Comparison of Temporal Patterns of Fatigue in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Abstract

This qualitative study describes the temporal patterns of fatigue found as part of a larger study designed to elicit a description of the experience and self-management of fatigue for patients on hemodialysis. Two patterns of fatigue were identified. The first pattern, continuous fatigue, was characterized by participants who experienced fatigue at all times, which was their normal, baseline feeling. Within this group, two subgroups were identified. The second pattern of fatigue, post-dialysis fatigue only, was characterized by participants who experienced fatigue only after their hemodialysis session. This study is unique because it expands our knowledge about hemodialysis and fatigue by describing the patterns that fatigue follows over time from one hemodialysis session to the next. Insight into these phenomena could help ameliorate fatigue and allow nurses to tailor interventions for patients on hemodialysis.