Characteristics hemodialysis headache in a specialized unit in the city of Santos, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: There are five stages of kidney disease, the V stage being terminal. When these patients are submitted to hemodialysis, they can develop systemic complication, including neurological signs and symptoms. Headache seems to be a common complaint in this group of patients. The authors assessed the characteristics of hemodialysis headache in patients attending a specialized kidney disease unit in the city of Santos,SP, Brazil. Material and Method: The group consisted of thirty individuals with the diagnoses of stage V chronic kidney disease who presented headache related to hemodialysis. Patients went for a structured individual interview. Results: There was a predominance of male patients (56.6%) aged, on average, 50 years. The main characteristics of the headache were tightness pain (43.3%) localized in the occipital area (50%), lasting an average of 145 minutes, with intensity rated as 6.9 (scale 0 to 10). Analgesics were used as treatment in 63.3% of cases. Conclusion: Hemodialysis headache in this group was more frequent in men and in the fifth decade of life. The headache typically had tension-type characteristics.