Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To analyze the relationship between hopelessness and sarcopenia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and to provide the references for early prevention and intervention of sarcopenia. Methods A survey was conducted in 308 MHD patients treated in a blood purification center in a tertiary hospital in Qingdao by convenience sampling. General information questionnaire, modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA) questionnaire and Beck hopelessness scale (BHS) were used for the investigation. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by physical examination. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the effect of hopelessness on sarcopenia. Results Of the 308 respondents, 78 (25.3%) had sarcopenia and the BHS score was 4.0 (1.0, 8.0). BHS ＞3 defining the presence of hopelessness was found in 155 (50.3%) respondents. BHS ＞3 before the inclusion of confounders was a risk factor for sarcopenia in MHD patients (OR=3.656, 95% CI: 2.079～6.429, P＜0.001). On the basis of this model and after inclusion of the independent variables of gender, age, duration of hemodialysis, with or without diabetes and MQSGA score, BHS ＞3 was still a risk factor for sarcopenia in MHD patients (adjusted OR=2.372, 95% CI:
1.227～4.588, P＜0.001). Conclusion Hopelessness is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia in MHD patients. Medical staff should pay attention to the prevention of sarcopenia in MHD patients with BHS＞3.

Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis, Hopelessness, Sarcopenia