[Quality of life patterns of dialysed patients in the region of Kairouan]

ABSTRACT

It has been demonstrated that the prognosis of the end-stage renal diseases have been changed after the introduction of dialysis modalities [haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis]. Technical progress, have increased life duration of these patients; however, some health cocerns persist to be frequent, such as physical alteration and psychological disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate the patients' quality of life of those who are treated by haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in Kairouan Gouvernorate. It is a descriptive study that included the whole 134 dialysed patients who are taken care of in the four dialysis unites using the KQQOL-SF questionnaire for quality of life assessment. Demographic characteristics showed that 71% of the study population were illetrate, and 50% were jobless. The mean distance of home-dialysis unit was 47 km and the mean duration of dialysis care was 27 months. Therefore, 36.2% of patients have been dialysed twice a week and 87.1% were aneamic. The mean quality of life score was 55.1. With reference to Lean standard value of 66.7 on the SF-36 scale, a deterioration of the quality of life was found in 75.2% of cases. Disorders were noted more deeply in the physical component [49.2 +/- 16.4] than on mental component [60.9 +/- 10.3]. The mean of renal component score was 62.7 +/- 12.9. Statistical analysis found that quality of life alteration was correlated to the following female patients, elderly people, low socioeconomic status, presence of comorbidity, aneamia, and low rate of albuminemia. The results could be used as a needs assessment study in order to improve the quality of life of dialysed patients. This needs the implementation of a quality improvement programme that should include the biological and psychosocial aspects in dialysis care