Abstract
Introduction. End-stage kidney disease radically alters the patients’ lives. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of employment, financial assistance, global activities, quality of life, and energy expenditure in patients according to the autonomous dialysis modality: Long Nocturnal Hemodialysis (LNHD), Daily Home Hemodialysis (DHHD), Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD), and hemodialysis in a self-care unit. Methods. Voluntary patients (n = 182) treated with an autonomous dialysis modality completed an anonymous e-questionnaire that included items on type of paid employment, voluntary work and leisure activities, and three self-report questionnaires (SONG-Fatigue, Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire, and EuroQol EQ-5D-5L). Results. Overall, 33% of patients had a remunerated activity, 10% of patients were considered as sedentary and 39.6% reported an important physical activity. The SONG-Fatigue median score was 3 (IQR 2–5). Moreover, 54%, 89% and 56% of patients did not report any problem with mobility, self-care, and usual activities, respectively. In addition, 35% of patients did not complain about pain or discomfort and 59% had no anxiety or depression symptoms. Patients estimated their global health status at 60 (IQ 50–80). The LNHD group had more often a remunerated activity and the DHHD group reported fewer problems with usual activities. The APD and LNHD groups experienced pain more often. Conclusion. This study showed a significant overall impact of dialysis on the patients’ daily life with some differences according to the dialysis modality.