The role of demographic characteristics and comorbidities in hemodialysis patients' health-related quality of life

Background: The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a valid tool, which can measure the degree that a chronic condition and its treatment, can affect patients' quality of life (QOL). Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented at three hemodialysis units. One hundred fifteen patients were included in the study and 107 participated (response rate 93 %). The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Missoula-VITAS Quality of Life Index (MVQOLI-25) were utilized for the data collection. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that increased number of coexisting diseases was associated with increased total score >= 24 on GHQ-28 [odds ratio: 1.35, 95 % confidence intervals (CI): 1.03-1.77, p = 0.03]. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that increased age was associated with an increased score on somatic symptoms subscale (coefficient beta: 1.01, 95 % CI: 1.00-1.03, p = 0.007). Increased number of coexisting diseases was associated with an increased score on anxiety/insomnia subscale (coefficient beta: 1.17, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.29, p = 0.003). Moreover, increased educational level was associated with decreased score on social dysfunction subscale (coefficient beta: -0.89, 95 % CI: -1.62 to -0.096, p = 0.028) and decreased score on severe depression subscale (coefficient beta: -1.14, 95 % CI: -2.03 to -0.26, p = 0.012). Patients with fistula/graft had a higher score on MVQOLI-25 than patients with a central venous catheter (coefficient beta: 2.31, 95 % CI: 0.43-4.19, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Comorbidities, educational level and vascular access were the most important findings regarding to their impact on patients' HRQL.