Abstract: Objective  To investigate the present situation and influencing factors of the thirst sensation in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.  Methods  A total of 369 MHD patients in the Hemodialysis Center, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medical University between February to May 2022 were investigated by convenient sampling method. The general information questionnaire, simplified xerostomia inventory and dialysis thirst inventory were used. The saliva secretion volume at baseline without stimulation was measured.  Results  The average score of dialysis thirst inventory in the 369 MHD patients was 14.80±3.19; 64.5% were mild thirst (10～15 scores), 26.0% were moderate thirst (16～20 scores), and 9.5% were severe thirst (21～25 scores); thirst (dialysis thirst inventory score ≥16) was found in 35.5% of the 369 MHD patients. The average score of simplified xerostomia inventory was 12.46±2.51 in the 369 MHD patients. The baseline and unstimulated saliva secretion volume was 0.21 (0.09, 0.35) ml/min. Logistic regression analysis showed that average ultrafiltration volume (OR=1.001, 95% CI:1.000～1.002, P=0.002), score of simplified xerostomia inventory (OR=3.186, 95% CI: 2.458～4.131, P＜0.001) and degree of salty taste (OR=0.440, 95% CI: 0.209～0.930, P=0.031) were the main influencing factors for thirst in MHD patients.   Conclusion   Thirst is a common symptom that disturbs MHD patients, and is affected by many factors. Thirst in MHD patients justifies to be concerned by the medical professionals that take care of them. Intervention of thirst based on the clinical conditions of the MHD patients is required.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Thirst, Influencing factors, Nursing, Investigation