Quality of life and functional status in patients with end-stage renal disease

Aim
The specifics of progressive course of the disease leads to the development of functional dependence which contributes to later disability, significantly influences quality of life. The goal of the research described here was to determine the relationship between the functioning of patients treated with hemodialysis and selected socio-demographic factors and quality of life.

Material and methods
The research included 100 patients in the range 20-90 years of age who were being treated with hemodialysis in a renal replacement facility in the area of western Poland. The average age for the entire group was 59.5±14.4 years of age. The average time spent on dialysis for the group was 44.7 ± 48.6 months. In order to evaluate patients’ functional status the Barthel Index, Lawton’s IADL and the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale were used. In order to evaluate QOL, the multidimensional instrument – the Health Questionnaire Specific for ESRD was used.

Results
Using the Spearman coefficient correlation moderate and strong correlations were found between particular sub-scales Health Questionnaire Specific for ESRD and functional capacity. There was no statistically significant dependence between the length of renal-replacement therapy and particular scales on the Parfrey et al Health Questionnaire as well as the functional capacity of patients.

Conclusions
Demographic variables, especially sex and age, and to a lesser degree educational level and marital status have an influence on the results of the Health Questionnaire Specific for ESRD. Activity levels had a signficant influence on the results in the area of QOL