Quality of life of patients on hemodialysis

ABSTRACT

The measurement of health related quality of life yields important information about patients' health, helps to assess treatment effectiveness, and may also identify those patients who need special care because of their increased risk of death and hospitalization. The aim of the study is to examine the lifestyle of patients with renal failure [on hemodialysis] as pre-requisite to designing a future health care program. A consecutive sample of 90 patients was pooled from all the hemodialysis centers in Baghdad, Iraq. Several aspects reflecting quality of life were studied through an interview. Only 32% of the patients studies were able to work; 68% were anxious; 34% possessed an aggressive attitude; 76% felt sad; 59% hated themselves; 96% had good relations with their parents, while 60% had poor relations with friends. With respect to the marital relationship, 66% claimed that they had a good marital relationship; 34% said that they had an acceptable one. Sexual relationship was good in 19%, acceptable in 19% and bad in 62%. With regard to meals, 74% were eating with their families and 62% were restricting food. Hemodialysis patients have significant changes in quality of life that are imposed on the due to their chronic disease and partial disability