Quality of life for spouses of CAPD patients

The overall purpose of this study was to describe the quality of life (QoL) for spouses of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and to determine what factors are the best predictors of the spouses' perceived QoL. Thirty-eight spouses of CAPD patients from 2 dialysis units completed a demographic data form, the Jalowiec Coping Scale, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and the Quality of Life Index. The primary CAPD nurses completed the End Stage Renal Disease Severity Index on the ill partner. The results showed that 21% of the spouses perceived their QoL as high, 55% perceived their QoL as moderate, and 24% perceived their QoL as fair to poor. The results indicated that the QoL for the spouse is similar to that of CAPD patients with the exception of the family domain. On the family domain, the spouses scored significantly lower. Marital adjustment was the best predictor of QoL for the spouse. Income was the next best predictor. These two variables combined for a predictive value of 85%. Understanding the effect that a chronic illness has on the spouse will assist nurses in providing quality care for both the patient and the spouse.