Abstract
BackgroundPatients have to travel long distances to undergo hemodialysis (HD) in some regions. We aimed to search for an association of the distance between patients’ residence and the dialysis unit with quality of life, depression and coping among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing maintenance HD.MethodsWe studied 161 ESRD patients undergoing HD during April 2009. Quality of life, depression and coping were assessed by the SF-36, the 10-item CES-D and the Jalowiec Coping Scale, respectively. The sample was stratified in three groups: I-patients residing in Sobral (where the dialysis unit is located); II-patients residing in towns up to 100 km from Sobral; and III-patients residing in towns distant greater than 100 km from Sobral. Analysis of variance was used to detect differences in quality of life and coping scores between the groups. Logistic regression was used to test distance as a predictor of depression.ResultsThere were 47 (29.2%) patients residing in Sobral, 46 (28.6%) up to 100 km away and 68 (42.2%) greater than 100 km from Sobral. There were no differences related to quality of life and coping scores between the groups. Distance was not a predictor of depression.ConclusionsSocial and cultural factors may explain the lack of differences. Studies from other regions are needed to clarify the distance effects on self-perceived outcomes among HD patients.
Highlights
Patients have to travel long distances to undergo hemodialysis (HD) in some regions
In Brazil [2], 90% of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergo conventional HD performed in a hospital or satellite dialysis unit
Statistical methods We compared demographic, clinical and laboratory variables by stratifying the sample into three groups: Ipatients residing in Sobral; II-patients residing in towns up to 100 km from Sobral; and III-patients residing in towns distant greater than 100 km from Sobral
Summary
Patients have to travel long distances to undergo hemodialysis (HD) in some regions. The prevalence of ESRD patients on dialysis is lower in North and Northeast Brazil, respectively 279 and 357 per million, when compared to the 583 per million undergoing dialysis in the Southeast, the country’s most developed region [2]. One of the most common obstacles to accessing dialysis treatment is the inadequate number of dialysis units in large territorial areas, forcing patients to travel long distances to get specialized treatment. These long distances cause a substantial burden on patients
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