Physical Activity Levels of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

BACKGROUND: High levels of physical activity improve the prognosis and quality of life (QOL) for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The aims of this study were to measure physical activity using a pedometer and to explain the relationship between physical activity and clinical outcomes in HD patients. METHODS: The study population comprised 38 patients (17 men and 21 women; mean age: 56.1 years; range, 41-69 years) who underwent HD 3 days/week. Physical activity was measured with a pedometer. The relationships between the clinical data and levels of physical activity were examined. RESULTS: The mean number of steps taken per day for 1 week was 4,157.4 +/- 2,068.1, and the mean value for all-consumption calories per day for 1 week was 1,623.0 +/- 240.5 kcal. The mean daily value for all-consumption calories showed positive correlations with basal metabolic calorie and serum creatinine levels, as well as the Physical Functioning score in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form instrument (KDQOL-SF), whereas it showed negative correlations with the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the cardiothoracic ratio. The mean calorie consumption by action, subtracting basic metabolism calories from all-consumption calories, also showed positive correlations with the number of steps and the Physical Functioning score in the KDQOL-SF, while it showed negative correlations with the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: The parameter of all-consumption calories per day, measured with a pedometer, is useful for evaluating the levels of physical activity of HD patients and for formulating exercise recommendations.