Abstract
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the demographic factors affecting Quality Of Life (QOL) of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: This observational study was conducted at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore. Patients of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and on maintenance HD for more than three months were included during the period March to June 2012. Patient of ESRD not on dialysis and Acute Renal Failure were excluded. One hundred and twenty five patients who fulfilled the criteria were included. Demographic data containing age, sex, residence, socio economic status, education, mode of traveling for dialysis, total time consumed in dialysis were collected by the investigators. QOL index was measured using 26 items, WHO QOL BREF. Results: There were 89(71.2%) male and 36(28.8%) female patients. Environmental domain score was highest (p=0.000) than all other domains in HD Patients. In overall analysis age, marital status and total time consumed in getting HD effect QOL significantly (p=<0.05). In domain wise analysis, male has better QOL in social relationship domain than female. Age has negative relationship with physical health and psychological health domain. QOL of unmarried and literate patients is significantly better (p=<0.05) in physical health domain. Employed patients have better QOL in physical, psychological and social relationship domain (p=<0.05) than unemployed patients. Patients of residence of rural areas have better QOL in physical and environment domain. Financial status of HD patients affect QOL in social domain. Distance covered to reach hospital effect QOL in psychological domain (p=<0.05). Patients traveling in private transport have better QOL in environmental domain (p=<0.05). Total time consumed in getting HD effect social relation in QOL (p=<0.05). According to linear regression model, marital status is positive predictor and unemployment is negative predictor of QOL in physical health domain. Age is negative predictor of QOL in psychological domain, monthly income is positive predictor of QOL in domain. Unemployment is positive predictor of QOL in social relation domain. Monthly income and place of residence is positive predictor of QOL in environment domain. Conclusion: Gender, age, marital status, unemployment, residence of rural area, economical status, distance covered to reach hospital, mode of transport, total time consumed in getting HD, effect QOL in HD patient. Education level is a positive factor for improving QOL of HD patients.
Highlights
Quality Of Life is defined as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value system where they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns”.1 Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) represents the “physical, psychological, and social domains of health that are influenced by a person’s experience, beliefs, expectations, and perceptions.[2]
Studies have documented that End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients receiving dialysis treatment have a lower quality of life than the people in the general population.[3]
Various studies have shown that level of hemoglobin, socioeconomic status, literacy, dialysis program, ethnic groups, sex, mobility, comorbidities, malnutrition, depression[4] and unsuccessful previous renal transplant affect QOL of dialysis patients.[5]
Summary
Quality Of Life is defined as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value system where they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns”.1 Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) represents the “physical, psychological, and social domains of health that are influenced by a person’s experience, beliefs, expectations, and perceptions.[2]. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) represents the “physical, psychological, and social domains of health that are influenced by a person’s experience, beliefs, expectations, and perceptions.[2] Studies have documented that ESRD patients receiving dialysis treatment have a lower quality of life than the people in the general population.[3] Various studies have shown that level of hemoglobin, socioeconomic status, literacy, dialysis program, ethnic groups, sex, mobility, comorbidities (e.g., diabetes), malnutrition, depression[4] and unsuccessful previous renal transplant affect QOL of dialysis patients.[5]. Type of renal replacement therapy affects QOL in these patients.[6] In Pakistan, there is late referral to nephrologist,[7] inadequate dialysis,[8] high rate of depression,[9] malnutrition & anemia,[10] which affect QOL of these patients. There is very limited data in this aspect in our dialysis patients, so this multicentric study was conducted to assess the QOL of HD patients and demographic factors affecting it
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