Association between physical activity level, cognitive function and quality of life in hemodialysis patients

• Grant number: 09/10793-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2010
• End date: February 29, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Roberto Jorge da Silva Franco
• Grantee: Fernanda Stringuetta Belik
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of renal function. Patients with CKD have a lower exercise tolerance and low functional capacity, even for everyday activities. Another important change is found in CKD cognitive dysfunction resulting in cognitive and psychomotor slowness. The limitations and multiple complications of CKD have a negative impact on quality of life of these patients. Physical inactivity is associated with other factors responsible for the increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, renal and cerebrovascular disease. Physical training programs have been proposed in order to treat these risk factors as well as their serious impact on cognitive function and quality of life. Objectives: To evaluate the association between the level of physical activity, cognitive function and quality of life in patients with CKD on hemodialysis (HD). Methods: We evaluated 102 patients undergoing HD. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which assesses the level of physical activity, the Mini-Mental State Examination, used for cognitive screening and KDQOL-SFTM, which evaluates the quality of life. Patients were divided into three groups according to their level of physical activity (GI: active / GII: irregularly active / GIII: sedentary). Results: The groups were similar in age, duration of HD, and smoking. Statistically significant differences in race, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, underlying disease and degree of cognitive impairment. Regarding laboratory data, the groups differed in creatinine, glucose, hemoglobin and hematocrit. Regarding the dimensions of quality of life, the groups differed in terms of functional capacity, physical limitations, emotional limitations, pain, social function and burden of kidney disease. There was an association between physical activity and cognitive function, even adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusions: In chronic renal failure in HD, the highest level of physical activity was associated with better cognitive function and functional capacity in the KDQOL-SFTM, regardless of confounding variables assessed.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

BELIK, Fernanda Stringuetta. Associação entre o nível de atividade física, função cognitiva e qualidade de vida em pacientes de hemodiálise. 2012. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina. Botucatu Botucatu.