Religious wellbeing as a predictor for quality of life in Iranian hemodialysis patients

Abstract

AIM: Spiritual well-being is known as a main resource for adjustment and coping when confronted with stressful situations such as managing a chronic disease. The aim of this study is to determine the very relationship between spiritual well-being and quality of life in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A convenience sample of 95 patients with end-stage renal disease who were referred to main hemodialysis centers were included from December 2012 to June 2013. Data was collected by using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the SF-36 quality of life scale, and the spiritual wellbeing scale. Descriptive analysis, Pearson's correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed for statistical assessment. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients evaluated was 50.4 (SD=15.72) years of age, and 61.1% of the patients were male. Both religious and existential domains of spiritual wellbeing were associated with bodily pain, vitality, social functioning and mental health (P < 0.05). The results of multiple logistic regression showed that religious well-being was associated with better quality of life in both domains of physical (OR=1.17; p=0.01) and mental (OR=1.14; p=0.02) components after controlling for socio-demographic and clinical variables. CONCLUSION: Religious well-being should be considered important predictive factors for the better quality of life in hemodialysis patients. This indicates the need for psychosocial and spiritual supports in the care of these patients.