Quality of life in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-sectional Study Comparing Patients on Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis and with Kidney Transplantation

Aims: The methods of renal replacement therapy influence highly the quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic kidney disease. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the QOL in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and kidney transplantation (KT).
Methodology: The sample consisted of 186 patients attending Nicosia General Hospital in 2012, 118 HD patients, 23 PD patients and 45 KT patients. QOL was assessed by the Greek Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF 36).
Results: Patients on HD had worse scores in all components. All three patient groups showed highest scores in mental health (HD: 57.7; PD: 70.3; KT: 75.6), whereas the lowest scores were observed in the component role physical (HD 33.1; PD 54.4 and KT 56.7) and general health (HD 32.5; PD 44.1 and KT 60.4). KT patients achieved highest scores in the physical component summary and mental component summary, as well as in the component summary of renal disease, followed by peritoneal dialysis patients. Male gender was significantly associated with higher score.
Conclusion: The study demonstrate that among the three groups the patients on hemodialysis had the worst scores, whereas the best scores are seen in KT patients. Lower scores are reported in the physical health component and here especially in the general health. Physicians as well as nursing personnel should be aware of the effects of dialysis and could improve both physical and mental health implementing empowerment programs in departments of HD and PD, to support patients in managing their health-related conditions.