Adaptation to liquid control, dialysis sufficiency and vulnerability in elderly hemodialysis patients

This descriptive study was conducted to determine compliance with fluid control, dialysis adequacy and frailty levels in elderly hemodialysis patients. The sample of the study was 105 patients who were treated at the Private Karatekin Dialysis Unit, Çankırı State Hospital, Çerkeş State Hospital, Ilgaz State Hospital, Kurşunlu State Hospital Dialysis Units between October 2019 and October 2020 at the 5% sampling error and 5% significance level according to the sample calculation of the known universe. The data of the study were collected using the 'Personal and Medical Characteristics Information Form', 'Edmonton Frailty Scale' and 'Fluid Control Scale" in hemodialysis patients. Descriptive statistical methods, parametric comparison tests and correlation tests were used in the analysis of the data. In hemodialysis patients, Fluid Control Scale total score was 50.00 ± 6.39, knowledge sub-dimension score was 16.32 ± 2.31, behavior sub-dimension score was 20.38 ± 4.19, attitude sub-dimension score was 13.30 ± 3.08, mean Kt/V level was 1.55 ± 0.27, Edmonton the mean score of the Edmonton Frailty Scale was found to be 7.64 ± 3. Although no correlation was found between the total EFS score and the Kt/V value (p>0.05), the creatinine level after dialysis was lower in patients with high frailty cognitive status sub-dimension score (p<0.01), and the Kt/V value increased as the cognitive status score increased. A statistically significant difference was found between the total mean SCS score and the Kt/V value (p<0.05). It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between the total SCS total score and the SCS total and sub-dimension scores of the elderly hemodialysis patients (p>0.05). As a result of the research, it was determined that the compliance of the patients to fluid control was moderate, the proficiency of dialysis increased as the level of compliance to fluid control increased and 64.8% of the patients were frail at various levels. In the light of these results, it is recommended to regularly evaluate the compliance with fluid control, dialysis adequacy and fragility levels of elderly hemodialysis patients and to plan trainings in line with their needs. Keywords: Elderly hemodialysis, dialysis adequacy, frailty, fluid control, nursing.