Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

Introduction: Gastrointestinal problems are common complications in the general population and also in end-stage renal disease. Such complications could be the result of increased serum urea, dialysis effect, intraperitoneal dialysis volume or any change in individual lifestyle and medications. Objectives: The present study has focused on the prevalence of common gastrointestinal disorders among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted in three educational hospitals of Mashhad, Iran during one year. Patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis for at least three months enrolled in the study and filled Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaire. Additionally, in the present study addiction has been defined as using any addictive substances including tobacco and opioids. The relationship between addiction and gastrointestinal symptoms was also investigated. Results: Among 71 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, most of them were male (53.5%) with mean ± SD age of 48.15±16.62 years. The mean dialysis duration was six months and the maximum duration was 13 years (mean ± SD of 2.75±2.49 years). Among 15 domains of GSRS, only abdominal distention was significantly different before and after dialysis (P=0.025). Among the gastrointestinal symptoms, only increased flatus was associated with patients’ gender (P=0.04). Addicted individuals were 15.5% among study population. Heartburn sensation, acid regurgitation, sucking sensation in epigastrium, abdominal flatus and abdominal distention were significantly related to addiction (P=0.01, P=0.005, P=0.01, P=0.009 and P=0.016, respectively). Conclusion: Only abdominal distension had been affected by peritoneal dialysis according to GSRS. Additionally, addiction of patients had great effect on some gastrointestinal problems. This finding suggests the possible effect of managing addiction in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms.