Introduction:

The person with chronic kidney disease in dialysis therapy has alterations in different dimensions of life, including sleep, considered one of the most important biological needs of the organism.

Objective:

To know the main sleep alterations in patients with chronic kidney disease in dialysis treatment, predisposing factors and nursing care.

Method:

Narrative review of the literature. The inclusion criteria were primary studies and systematic reviews, both qualitative and quantitative, on sleep alterations in adult patients with chronic kindey disease in dialysis therapy. The Medline, Scielo and Epistemonikos databases were consulted.

Results:

The prevalence of sleep disorders is high in people with chronic kidney disease who undergo dialysis, the main ones being restless legs syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. In the first, the main causative factor was iron deficiency and dysfunction of dopamine, while the second was the volume overload and narrow airways. The therapeutic approach responds to pharmacological measures such as iron administration, dopaminergic agents and the use of CPAP, as well as non-pharmacological measures, transversal to both such as sleep hygiene.

Conclusion:

Sleep disturbances in dialysis patients clearly affect their quality of life, being an aspect in which health professionals should acquire knowledge and provide specific nursing care to prevent, attenuate symptoms and avoid complications.