Evaluation of body image perception, pain, fatigue and anxiety levels of individuals awaiting kidney transplantation and individuals on hemodialysis and individuals with kidney transplantation

This study was conducted to evaluate the body perception, pain, fatigue and anxiety levels of individuals waiting for kidney transplantation and undergoing hemodialysis and individuals with kidney transplantation. The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of individuals who applied to the nephrology outpatient clinic and dialysis unit of a private hospital in Ankara between August 29, 2021 and May 20, 2022. The data were collected using the Socio-demographic Characteristics and Clinical Assessment Form, LANSS pain scale, visual similarity scale for fatigue, and Body Perception Scale. The necessary ethics committee and institutional permissions were obtained for the research, and the power of the research was determined according to Post Hoc Power analysis. Statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05. The mean age of the individuals undergoing hemodialysis was 42.9±12.4 years and it was found that they were undergoing hemodialysis for an average of 47.3±38.8 hours per week. The mean total score of the Lanss pain scale of the individuals who entered hemodialysis was 104.8±15.4, and 69.7% of the individuals experienced neuropathic pain characteristics. The mean total score of the visual similarity scale for fatigue was 29.5±1.2. The mean total score of the Beck Anxiety Scale was 47.6±6.8. The mean total score of the Body Perception Scale was 104.8±15.4. The mean age of individuals with kidney transplantation was 41.3±9.4 years, the mean duration of kidney disease was 53.7±34.6 years, and 71.9% had additional chronic diseases. The mean total score of Lanss Pain Scale was 8.2±2.0, the mean total score of Beck Anxiety Scale was 25.6±4.1, and the mean total score of Visual Similarity Scale for Fatigue was 24.3±1.3. The mean total score of the Body Perception Scale was 75.6±3.5. When the pain, fatigue, anxiety and body perception of the individuals who were on hemodialysis and waiting for transplantation and transplantation were compared, it was determined that the individuals who were on hemodialysis and waiting for transplantation had more pain, experienced a higher degree of fatigue, experienced more body perception and had more anxiety than the transplantation individuals were determined. Even though transplanted individuals show fewer symptoms than hemodialysis patients, it should not be forgotten that symptoms such as anxiety still continue, and it is recommended to give importance to patients in the post-transplant period at least as much as hemodialysis patients and to support patients.