Table 3: Frequency of symptoms experienced by patients receiving hemodialysis treatment by dialysis symptom index.

  No Never Rarely Sometimes Slightly Usually
  N % N % N % N % N % N %
Constipation 141 38.8 22 6.1 28 7.7 115 31.7 6 1.7 50 13.8
Nausea 167 46.0 21 5.8 47 12.9 99 27.3 3 0.8 26 7.2
Vomiting 181 49.9 40 11.0 39 10.7 79 21.8 3 0.8 21 5.8
Diarrhea 262 72.2 40 11.0 18 5.0 35 9.6 3 0.8 5 1.4
Poor appetite 134 36.9 13 3.6 48 13.2 115 31.7 13 3.6 40 11.0
Muscle cramps 71 19.6 13 3.6 43 11.8 130 35.8 8 2.2 98 27.0
Swelling in legs 239 65.8 30 8.3 36 9.9 27 7.4 9 2.5 22 6.1
Dyspnea 196 54.0 27 7.4 24 6.6 73 20.1 7 1.9 36 9.9
Drowsiness/Dizziness 105 28.9 5 1.4 26 7.2 119 32.8 11 3.0 97 26.7
Restless legs syndrome 269 74.1 23 6.3 17 4.7 14 3.9 3 0.8 37 10.2
Numbness or tingling in the feet 102 28.1 26 7.2 22 6.1 67 18.5 8 2.2 138 38.0
Feeling of fatigue and decrease in energy 7 1.9 2 0.6 15 4.1 27 7.4 7 1.9 305 84.0
Coughing 238 65.6 29 8.0 39 10.7 37 10.2 1 0.3 19 5.2
Dryness of the mouth 87 24.0 25 6.9 42 11.6 102 28.1 13 3.6 94 25.9
Bone or joint pain 114 31.4 18 5.0 25 6.9 52 14.3 4 1.1 150 41.3
Chest pain 248 68.3 30 8.3 23 6.3 36 9.9 8 2.2 18 5.0
Headache 106 29.2 6 1.7 43 11.8 98 27.0 7 1.9 103 28.4
Muscle pain 140 38.6 18 5.0 54 14.9 78 21.5 5 1.4 68 18.7
Concentration difficulties 60 16.5 9 2.5 30 8.3 52 14.3 24 6.6 188 51.8
Dry skin 3 0.8 14 3.9 161 44.4 96 26.4 38 10.5 50 13.8
Itching 111 30.6 19 5.2 37 10.2 105 28.9 5 1.4 86 23.7
Being anxious 102 28.1 21 5.8 76 20.9 41 11.3 21 5.8 102 28.1
Feeling nervous 68 18.7 14 3.9 44 12.1 57 15.7 24 6.6 156 43.0
Difficulty falling asleep 104 28.7 17 4.7 29 8.0 58 16.0 13 3.6 142 39.1
Difficulty in maintaining sleep 102 28.1 14 3.9 29 8.0 67 18.5 11 3.0 140 38.6
Feeling uncomfortable 63 17.4 18 5.0 64 17.6 65 17.9 33 9.1 120 33.1
Feeling sad 40 11.0 19 5.2 53 14.6 78 21.5 33 9.1 140 38.6
Feeling anxious 60 16.5 24 6.6 69 19.0 56 15.4 37 10.2 117 32.2
Absence of sexual appetite 81 22.3 103 28.4 42 11.6 65 17.9 16 4.4 56 15.4
Difficulty in getting sexual satisfaction 81 22.3 103 28.4 41 11.3 66 18.2 16 4.4 56 15.4