Effect of Mealtime During Hemodialysis on Patients’ Complications

Introduction: Food intake during hemodialysis increases the risk of problems such as hypotension, nausea, and vomiting in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to determine the effect of mealtime during dialysis on the patients' complications. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study consisted of all eligible hemodialysis patients in Hamadan teaching hospitals. All of 48 patients were selected through census method. The research was conducted in two sessions. At both sessions, patients were kept fasting prior to hemodialysis. In the first session, after one hour and in the second session after two hours of hemodialysis, a meal containing 350 kcal of energy was given to the patients. Blood pressure and intensity of nausea and vomiting was measured and recorded immediately before the start of hemodialysis, and then every half an hour before the termination of the hemodialysis. Results: The results showed that in both sessions, food intake caused a drop in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but changes in the mealtime had no effect on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also, statistical test showed that changes in the mealtime had no significant impact on the intensity of nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: Food intake during hemodialysis had no effect on the nausea and vomiting, but caused a drop in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the drop continued for one hour and one and a half hour after the meal. It is suggested, mealtime in the early hours of hemodialysis could be better managed during the hemodialysis process.