Factors Associated with Life Quality of Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background and Objective: End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treating with hemodialysis have lower quality of life (QOL) than normal population. However,no any study reports factors affectingQOL inESRD patients living in the Northeast of Thailand where the culture, socio-economic status and food consumption behavior are different from previous studies.

Method: A cross-sectional study of QOL by using SF36 questionnaire in hemodialytic patients treated at four hospitals ofKalasin province was performed. Clinical data and laboratory results were collected. Regression analysis model was used to examine factors associated with QOL.

Results: 204patients assessed QOL revealed the physical component scores (PCS)of 52 ± 19 points and mental component scores (MCS)of 57 ± 17 points. Factors related with physical part of QOL were age (0.36 point decreased per addition of one year), diabetes (3.3 points decreased) and MCS (score increase of 0.83 point per every MCS increasing). Factors associated with mental part of QOL were age (0.2 point increased per addition of one year), self pay for hemodialysis (3.9 points decreased) and PCS  (score increase 0.75 point per every PCS increasing). PCS and MCS significantly related together (r=0.79, p<0.001).

Conclusions: Improvement of QOL is important especially in elderly and diabetic patients. The strategy should strengthen both physical and mental parts of QOL.