Introduction:

Functional dependence in older adults is defined as the need for assistance in performing basic activities of daily living. Several scales exist to quantify functional dependence, such as the Barthel Index. This construct is particularly important in adults requiring renal replacement therapy, where quality of life can be profoundly affected.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of functional dependence in patients over 50 years of age undergoing hemodialysis in a nephrology service in Paraguay during the period January to May 2025.

Methodology:

An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted with non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The accessible population consisted of male and female patients over 50 years of age undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Demographic and clinical variables were measured. Functional dependence was assessed using the Barthel Index.

Results:

Thirty patients were evaluated. The majority were men (73.33%), with a mean age of 63 ± 10 years. The average time on hemodialysis was 24 ± 26 months. The mean Barthel Index score was 81.83 points, with 60% of patients classified as independent, 23.33% with moderate dependence, and 16.66% with functional dependence for activities of daily living.

Conclusion:

The study showed that the prevalence of functional dependence for basic activities of daily living in hemodialysis patients was 16.66%.

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