Nutritional Profile and Quality of Sleep among Adult Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional profile and sleep quality, and to determine the correlation between malnutrition and poor sleep quality among adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Nephrology, KRL Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from October to December 2025.

Methods: A total of 100 patients aged 18 years or above undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for at least 3 months and receiving a minimum of 3 dialysis sessions/week were included in this study. Nutritional status and sleep quality were evaluated using the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was applied to evaluate the relationship between malnutrition and sleep quality.

Results: Mean age in this study was 58.22±10.65 years with a higher percentage of male patients (62%). The mean Malnutrition-Inflammation score was 15.79±5.36. Mild-to-moderate malnutrition was recorded in 63% while severe malnutrition was reported in 25% of patients. The assessment of sleep quality using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score showed a mean of 9.27±4.88, with 72% experiencing poor sleep quality. A significant positive correlation was found between the two scores (r=0.263, p<0.01).

Conclusion: Malnutrition was significantly correlated with poor sleep quality, emphasizing the need for integrated nutritional and sleep management strategies in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.