The effect of an educational program on quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis in western Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To assess health-related quality of life (QOL) among hemodialysis (HD) patients attending HD units in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and to evaluate the effect of an educational program on health-related QOL. Method: One hundred HD patients were recruited and followed from 4 different dialysis units in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 2018 and May 2018. The patients were divided into an intervention group (n= 50) receiving educational program and control group (n= 50). All sociodemographic and laboratory variables were recorded. The QOL short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire has been used and the score calculated to all patients enrolled in the study before and after educational program. The participants received the educational program in individualized sessions. Results: The mean +/- standard deviation in the intervention group were significantly greater than in controls after the educational program in most dimensions of QOL, including role-physical (35.5 +/- 24.7 versus 24.5 +/- 23.9, p< 0.02), role-emotional (58.6 +/- 40.1 versus 44.6+43.4, p< 0.001) and general health (76.6 +/- 16 versus 62.9 +/- 19.4, p< 0.001). This reflects high impact of patient counseling in the QOL of HD patients. Conclusion: The scores of health-related quality of life for HD patients were low. The educational program had significant positive impact on all health-related quality of life parameters.