Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To understand the current status and its influencing factors of dialysis and symptom distress in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients in Shaanxi Province. Methods During October to December, 2020, a total of 1,012 MHD patients treated in Shaanxi Province were investigated using a combination of medical records and questionnaires, including demographic data, complications, and dialysis-related information. The degree of symptom distress was assessed by the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI). Results Among the 1,012 MHD patients in Shaanxi Province, 65.6% were males, and 64.7% were over 40 years old. The top 3 primary causes of the MHD patients were hypertension (290 cases, 28.7%), chronic glomerulonephritis (201 cases, 19.9%), and diabetic nephropathy (189 cases, 18.7%). The main blood access method was autologous arteriovenous internal fistula (89.3%). Dialysis age ＜5 years was in 45.3% patients, and 5 times/2 weeks of dialysis was performed in 42.2% patients.
The compliance rates of serum calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were 50.1%, 45.8% and 29.9% respectively. The incidence of symptom distress ranged from 35.1% to 81.1% in the 1,012 MHD patients, with a total symptom distress score of (57.10±20.09). There was a statistically difference in symptom distress among patients with different residence place (H= 25.041, P＜0.001), educational level(H=9.414, P=0.024), income(H=7.816, P=0.021), and levels of serum calcium(H= 31.138, P＜0.001), phosphorus (H=33.784, P＜0.001) and PTH(H=45.365, P＜0.001) (P＜0.05). Conclusion Most MHD patients in Shanxi Province were middle and old age person. The top 3 primary causes of the MHD patients were hypertension, chronic glomerulone-phritis and diabetic nephropathy. Arteriovenous internal fistula was the main blood access route. The compliance rates of serum calcium, phosphorus and PTH were lower. A variety of symptoms distressed most MHD patients, and the presence of symptoms was influenced by many factors.

Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis, Symptom distress, Current status survey