Incidencia de las demencias en hemodiálisis. Apoyo al cuidador principal

Abstract

Dementia appears with increasing frequency in patients undergoing haemodialysis: the age of starting dialysis treatment has increased in recent years, influenced by the increase in life expectancy. The deterioration in the patient’s lifestyle affects both relatives and carers, creating a complex situation that is difficult to handle. At present, it constitutes a serious health problem with large-scale social and economic repercussions, due to the loss of independence of the patient and the physical and psychological burden suffered by the family.

Objective: To fi nd out the incidence of dementia and its relationship with age, sex, level of education and associated pathologies.

Material and method: Transversal, descriptive study. To determine the incidence of dementia we used the Pfeiffer short portable mental status ques-tionnaire. Variables: sex, age, level of education, co-habitation, high blood pressure, diabetes.

Results: 28% of patients showed dementia, 36% were aged between 75-79 years, and the female sex was considerably affected. 58% had not completed primary school education. High blood pressure was not statistically signifi cant. Diabetes mellitus appeared in 48% of the patients who presented dementia.

Conclusion: The age of patients on haemodialysis has increased considerably, giving rise to the ap-pearance of dementia, and hence the need to establish suitable nursing interventions to improve the quality of care and offer adequate information to relatives and carers about the measures to be taken into account in each situation.