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Prevalence and factors associated with physical function among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Physical function is a key indicator of health status and quality of life among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Functional impairment is common in this population owing to the combined effects of chronic kidney disease, treatment-related burden, and multiple comorbidities, resulting in reduced independence and poorer health outcomes. However, evidence regarding the prevalence and factors associated with impaired physical function among maintenance hemodialysis patients in Saudi Arabia remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical function impairment and examine the factors associated with physical function among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dialysis Center of King Fahd Specialized Hospital, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 110 adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis was recruited. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, physical function, activities of daily living, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory parameters. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to examine the associations between variables. Results: Among the 110 participants, 73.6% demonstrated impaired physical function. Age was the only participant characteristic significantly associated with physical function (p = 0.002), whereas no significant associations were observed with sex, marital status, educational level, employment status, dialysis duration, dialysis frequency, family history of kidney disease, or comorbidities. Participants reported substantial limitations in instrumental activities of daily living, particularly cleaning floors, washing clothes, cooking, carrying objects, and engaging in physical exercise, while most remained independent in basic self-care activities. Conclusion: Impaired physical function is highly prevalent among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, with older age being significantly associated with poorer physical function. Routine assessment of physical function should be incorporated into dialysis care to facilitate the early identification of at-risk patients and support individualized interventions aimed at maintaining functional independence and improving quality of life.

Source: Frontiers in Nephrology

DOI: 10.3389/fneph.2026.1935072