Introducción:

Constipation is a frequent issue in hemodialysis patients, associated, among other factors, with comorbidity, polypharmacy, and restrictions in fluid and dietary intake, potentially affecting the quality of life.

Objectives:

To analyze the relationship between constipation and the quality of life of hemodialysis patients, determine the prevalence of objective and subjective constipation, and analyze the most influential variables.

Material and Method:

Cross-sectional descriptive observational study in a hospital hemodialysis unit. The Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria (2016) and the Bristol Visual Scale were used to assess constipation. Quality of life was evaluated using the CVE-20 questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 38 patients were studied (58% males) with a mean age of 68.69±12.76 years, a hemodialysis duration of 44±37.19 months, and 31.57% were sedentary. Daily fluid intake was 1004.05±460.13 ml, and diuresis was 658.11±696.47 ml. The Charlson index was 8.15±2.29 points. Subjective constipation was present in 45%, and objective constipation in 42%. Patients with constipation were 56% females, with a mean age of 67.81±14.88 years, and hemodialysis duration of 40.06±32.97 months; 12% were prescribed opioids, 44% phosphorus binders, 56% intravenous iron, and 24% laxatives. Quality of life was lower in constipated patients (53.06 vs. 69.62 points), with significant differences in all dimensions of the questionnaire.

Conclusions:

Hemodialysis patients have a significant prevalence of constipation, more prevalent in females. This constipation is associated with a poorer perception of quality of life.