RESUMO
patients on chronic hemodialysis Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD), is associated with mortality, complications and compliance to treatment. Aim: To assess HRQOL in a group of patients on CHD. Patients andmethods: A cross-sectional multicenter study was carried out, involving 224 patients from five CHD units (3 private and 2 public) in Bio Bio Region, using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 items (KDQOL-36) questionnaire and Karnofsky scale. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher values representing a better HRQOL. Results: Physical and Mental scales and subscales of symptoms, effect and the burden of kidney disease subscales rendered scores below 50 (the referential value), in 80%, 61%, 8%, 43% and 80% of evaluations, respectively. The lower scores were observed in patients with diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypoalbuminemia...