Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 8, 2025

Acupoint Application as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fatigue Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
04:24

Acupoint Application as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fatigue Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: September 5, 2025

231

Fatigue and apathy in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Maurizio Bossola1,2, Enrico Di Stasio2,3, Tania Monteburini4

  • 1Servizio Emodialisi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.

Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis : Official Peer-Reviewed Journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy
|December 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Fatigue in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients is significantly linked to apathy and reduced daily functioning. Apathy, not depression, emerged as a key predictor of fatigue severity in these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Psychiatry
  • Quality of Life Research

Background:

  • Chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients frequently experience fatigue, impacting their quality of life.
  • The relationship between fatigue and psychological factors like apathy requires further investigation in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fatigue and apathy in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.
  • To identify predictors of fatigue severity, including apathy, depression, and functional status.

Main Methods:

  • 139 chronic HD patients were assessed using validated scales for fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale - FSS), apathy (Apathy Evaluation Scale - AES), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory - BDI).
  • Functional status was evaluated using Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scales.
  • Correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine relationships between variables.

Main Results:

  • Higher FSS scores correlated with lower ADL and IADL scores, higher BDI and AES scores, and lower serum creatinine levels.
  • Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) demonstrated strong correlations with Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
  • Apathy and IADL were identified as independent predictors of fatigue in the HD population via multiple regression analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Apathy is significantly associated with fatigue in chronic HD patients.
  • Apathy and reduced functional capacity (IADL) are key independent predictors of fatigue.
  • Further longitudinal research is recommended to explore if apathy is a causal factor in fatigue development in HD patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
apathydepressionend-stage renal diseasefatiguehemodialysis

More Related Videos

Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue08:56

Evaluating the Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer-related Fatigue

Published on: May 17, 2018

9.3K
Measurement of Tissue Oxygenation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis04:36

Measurement of Tissue Oxygenation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Published on: October 2, 2020

2.3K

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
140
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management01:25

Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management

The nursing management of a patient undergoing hemodialysis includes several critical steps, starting with a thorough assessment before the procedure.Before the Hemodialysis ProcedureFirst, record the patient's vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature—to establish a baseline. This baseline is essential for detecting conditions such as hypotension that could impact the patient's response to dialysis. Document the patient's pre-dialysis weight, as this...
262
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications01:24

Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications

DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...
179
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
50
Peritoneal Dialysis III: Nursing Management01:25

Peritoneal Dialysis III: Nursing Management

Peritoneal dialysis, or PD, utilizes the peritoneal membrane as a filter to eliminate excess fluid and waste products. Effective nursing management is essential for ensuring patient safety, preventing complications, and promoting optimal function of the peritoneal dialysis process.Assessment and MonitoringNurses must thoroughly assess the patient before, during, and after each dialysis session. Regular monitoring includes vital signs, daily weight, fluid intake and output, and laboratory values...
190
Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management01:18

Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management is essential for preventing complications, maintaining stability, and improving patients' quality of life in chronic kidney disease (CKD). By using a structured approach, nurses help slow CKD progression and support effective patient care​.1. Comprehensive patient assessmentEffective management begins with nurses reviewing the patient’s medical history, and identifying key risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and nephrotoxic drug use. Nurses assess signs of...
77