This cross-sectional study aims to find the prevalence of chronic pain and its correlation with the quality of life and vitamin D levels among hemodialysis patients in Palestine. We used the brief pain inventory, the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey, and Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to assess chronic pain, quality of life, and vitamin D levels, respectively. The study included 200 patients, 38.1% (95% confidence interval 31.3–45.4%) of whom had chronic pain, and 77.7% (95% confidence interval 71.0–83.4%) had deficient Vitamin D levels. Quality of life scores were generally low, with the lowest in role emotional and physical functioning. Sex, comorbidities, and vitamin D level significantly correlate with pain severity. Employment, number of comorbidities, pain severity, and albumin level are significantly associated with the Physical component of quality of life. On the other hand, employment and pain severity are significantly related to the mental component of quality of life. In conclusion, low vitamin D levels, chronic pain, and low quality of life scores are common among hemodialysis patients. In addition, vitamin D is negatively correlated with pain severity. Therefore, healthcare workers should assess and manage hemodialysis patients' chronic pain to improve their quality of life and reduce suffering.

Background Pain is a common complaint among hemodialysis patients. End-stage renal disease patients are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency and poor Quality of life (QoL). This study aims to find the prevalence of chronic pain and its correlation with QoL and vitamin D level among hemodialysis patients in Palestine. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 to February 2022 at the hemodialysis unit of An-Najah National University Hospital, Palestine. We used the brief pain inventory, the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey, and Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to assess chronic pain, QoL, and vitamin D deficiency. A multiple linear regression analysis models determined the correlation between the QoL scores and other independent variables. Results The study included 200 patients, 38.1% (95% CI: 31.3–45.4%) of whom had chronic pain and 77.7% (95% CI: 71.0-83.4%) had deficient Vitamin D levels. QoL scores were generally low, with the highest score in social functioning, followed by mental health, while the lowest was found in role emotional and physical functioning. Sex, number of comorbidities, and vitamin D level are significantly correlated with pain severity. Employment, numbers of comorbidities, pain severity, and albumin level are significantly associated with the Physical component of QoL. On the other hand, employment and pain severity are significantly related to the mental component of QoL. Conclusions Low vitamin D levels, chronic pain, and low QoL scores are common among hemodialysis patients. Vitamin D is negatively correlated with pain severity. Unemployment, comorbidities, severe pain, and low level of albumin are associated with reduced QoL scores. Healthcare workers should assess and manage HD patients' chronic pain to improve their QoL and reduce suffering.