Correlates of Sleep Behavior among Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Given the importance of sleep to overall physical and mental well-being, we sought to identify the correlates of seven sleep disturbances in a cross-sectional study of a biracial population of male and female patients treated with hemodialysis. Methods: Univariate and multivariate analyses of a cohort study of adult patients with end-stage renal disease. Demographic, psychosocial, clinical, and health and physical functioning variables were included. Results: Waking up during the night (57%) and waking up too early (55%) were the most commonly reported sleep problems. Multivariate analyses consistently indicated that levels of pain, depressive symptoms, and physical functioning were consistently associated with the seven sleep disturbances. Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are common in patients with end-stage renal disease. Physical and mental well-being were consistently related to the seven sleep disturbances.