The quality of life in diabetic hemodialysis patients

Abstract

The aim: to compare the quality of life (QOL) in hemodialysis (HD) patients with diabetes and without it and to evaluate the impact of diabetes on QOL variables. Patients and methods . 192 prevalent HD patients completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™) questionnaire. Of these, 23 patients had diabetes. Results. Compared with non-diabetic HD patients, HD patients with diabetes scored lower on physical component of QOL: the Physical functioning scale - 30.0 (10.0-45.0) vs 65.0 (40.0-80.0) (Me[IQR]), p<0.0001; Bodily pain - 45.0 (32.5-67.5) vs 57.5 (45.0-90.0), p=0.046; Physical Component Summary (PCS) - 25.4 (20.5-35.3) vs 36.6 (29.8-44.5), p<0.0001. In the presence of diabetes, the Odds Ratio (95% CI) of the Role Physical scale score being below 50 were 6.7 (1.5-29.6) times higher than in the absence of diabetes. The Vitality scale score was also lower in diabetic HD patients: 40.0 (25.0-45.0) vs 45.0 (35.0-60.0), p=0.006. Regarding the dialysis-specific scales, diabetic patients had poorer scores than non-diabetics on Symptoms/problems - 64.6 (58.3-70.8) vs 75.0 (62.5-85.4), p=0.012 and Sleep - 47.5 (35.0-62.5) vs 57.5 (45.0-72.5), p=0.012. In the presence of diabetes, the Odds Ratio (95% CI) of the Work status scale score being below 50 were 7.8 (1.8-34.3) times higher than in the absence of diabetes. Conclusion. Diabetic HD patients scored significantly lower than non-diabetic on the scales of self-reported physical health, Vitality, Symptoms/problems, Sleep and Work status.