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Published on: October 2, 2020
Quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients:about 71 cases
Insights
Quality of life is significantly impaired in 90% of hemodialysis patients in Tunisia. Key factors include lack of autonomy, dialysis frequency, age, diabetes, socioeconomic status, and rural living.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Public Health
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Chronic hemodialysis presents significant challenges affecting patient quality of life (QOL).
- Limited Tunisian research exists on the QOL of hemodialysis patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the quality of life in Tunisian hemodialysis patients.
- To identify factors associated with impaired QOL in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 71 hemodialysis outpatients in Sfax, Tunisia.
- Utilized the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL-SF™) for assessment.
- Employed regression analysis to identify influencing factors.
Main Results:
- 90% of patients experienced impaired QOL, with average KDQOL-SF™ and SF-36 scores of 51.6 and 38.2, respectively.
- Six factors significantly correlated with impaired QOL: lack of autonomy, thrice-weekly dialysis, age over 60, diabetes, low socioeconomic status, and rural residence.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of QOL impairment necessitates systematic assessment in hemodialysis patients.
- Interventions targeting modifiable factors like professional integration and considering peritoneal dialysis are recommended.
Background:
The chronic hemodialysis imposes various limitations on patients that may affect their quality of life. However, Tunisian studies on this matter remain scarce.
Aims:
To assess the quality of life among hemodialysis patients and to identify the factors influencing their quality of life.
Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional study which included 71 outpatients, during the month of January 2013, in the department of Nephrology at Hedi Chaker Sfax university hospital in Tunisia. We used the specific scale Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL-SF™) to assess the patient's quality of life. This instrument combines the short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and a specific module adapted to renal function. Regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors.
Results:
The global average score, according to KDQOL-SF and the SF-36 were respectively 51.6 and 38.2. The QOL was impaired in 90% of the cases. The logistic regression identified six variables to be correlated with impaired QOL. These six factors in descending order of importance were: lack of autonomy, a dialysis rhythm of thrice a week, an age over 60 years, a comorbid diabetes, low social economic level and living in rural areas.
Conclusion:
Our study highlights the high frequency of QOL impairment upon patients on hemodialysis underlining the interest of a systematic effort to assess the quality of life in those patients. It also shows the interest of acting upon modifiable factors correlated with the alteration of the quality of life. In this way, the professional integration of the patients should be favored as well as peritoneal dialysis.
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