ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS ON MAINTENANCE HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

BackgroundQuality of life is an important parameter that needs to be considered when evaluating the outcome of patientsreceiving healthcare; this is especially the case for patients with long-term chronic diseases. Furthermore, withthe increasing medical ability to prolong life, the patient’s quality of life has become an increasingly legitimatemedical outcome. Therefore, assessment of patients’ quality of life not only helps assess the quality of thedialysis but also is useful to guide nephrologists to develop better interventions and plans of care for the future. ObjectivesTo assess the quality of life and factors affecting hemodialysis patients. Patients and MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among (209) patients on maintenance hemodialysisat six major hemodialysis centres in Sulaimani Governorate. They are using a questionnaire face-to-faceinterview for ten months, from 7/Sep./2021 to 10/Jun/2022. Data analysis by the IBM SPSS program,quantitative variables are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (M±SD), median and interquartile, andresults from qualitative variables are expressed as percentages. P-value < 0.05 assume the significance forresults. ResultsOverall mean quality of life was near (37%) in (100%) of normal persons, with an SD (of 13.26). Over one-thirdwere in the age group of (50-64) years, and the number increased by age. Nearly equal male-to-female ratio(50.2male, while 49.8 female). (46.4%) were illiterates, and (67%) were Unemployed. Claimed that they had noincome (65.6 %) and diabetes mellitus among patients (45.9%). Demographic factors, dialysis adequacy, andclinical factors are among the factors that affect the quality of life. ConclusionDespite regular hemodialysis, the patient’s quality of life on maintenance hemodialysis is severely affected.Both clinical and nonclinical factors, such as demographic factors, Dialysis adequacy, comorbidities, andothers, were severely affecting the quality of life of patients on maintenance hemodialysis, especially physicalactivities.