Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting quality of life in hemodialysis patients.Methods: In this descriptive study, the subjects were 127 hemodialysis patients at four dialysis clinics in Pusan and Daegu metropolitan cities. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN version 26.0.Results: The average scores for social support, symptom experience, physical function, self-care compliance, and quality of life were 3.97±0.66, 38.50±27.94, 2.24±0.60, 3.43±0.49, and 3.02±0.57, respectively. Fifty-five (43.3%) subjects had a type D personality. Quality of life showed significant differences according to educational background (F=6.44, <i>p</i><.001), job (t=2.52, <i>p</i>=.013), and type D personality (t=4.39, <i>p</i><.001). Social support (r=.32, <i>p</i><.001), physical function (r=.45, <i>p</i><.001), self-care compliance (r=.24, <i>p</i>=.005), albumin (r=.09, <i>p</i>=.027), and phosphorous (r=.27, <i>p</i>=.002) were positively correlated with quality of life. Symptom experience (r=-.40, <i>p</i><.001) was negatively correlated with quality of life. The factors affecting quality of life were social support (β=.31, <i>p</i><.001), physical function (β=.30, <i>p</i><.001), educational background (β=.20, <i>p</i>=.007), type D personality (β=-.19, <i>p</i><.001), and symptom experience (β=-.18, <i>p</i>=.019), with a total explanatory power of approximately 43%.Conclusion: Quality of life in hemodialysis patients was affected by social support, physical function, educational background, type D personality, and symptom experience. These factors should be considered in nursing interventions to improve quality of life of hemodialysis patients.