الفهرس 
ContentsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Hemodialysis is the main renal replacement therapy used in the elderly requiring dialysis. Pruritus is one of the most frustrating skin problems affecting 20%–90% of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis and can negatively affect their quality of life. Pruritus in hemodialysis patients may reduce patients’ quality of life and self-care ability and make compliance with the disease as it leads to many physiological and psychological problems. Aim: Determine the effect of pruritus on quality of life of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. Method: A descriptive research design was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at the hemodialysis units at New Mansoura General Hospital in Mansoura city and its related units in Shohaa and Salamon village affiliated to the Ministry of Health. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection, Tool I: Structured interview schedule sheet, Tool II: 5-D Itching scale (5-D IS), Tool III: Quality of life scale. Results: The study revealed that 45.9% of the studied elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis suffered from pruritus for less than 6 hours & 34.3%of elderly patients described pruritus as rarely delay sleep & the most common body parts affected by pruritus were abdomen, back, toes and arms. The study figured out that 66.2% of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis were unsatisfied with their quality of life while 33.8% reported satisfied quality of life. There was a weak negative correlation between pruritus characteristics& quality of life of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. Conclusion & Recommendations: pruritus is common among hemodialysis elderly patients and has an effect on quality of life of elderly hemodialysis patients. Designing an illustrated booklet about hemodialysis process and pruritus management and distributed for nurses and elderly patients admitted to hemodialysis unit.