Relationship between quality of life, adherence to treatment and the knowledge level of hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the health-related quality of life of hemodialysis patients and the relationship with treatment adherence, comorbidity and practical aspects of self-care. Material and Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in the Complexo Hospitalario of Ourense (Spain). Fifty-one patients in hemodialysis programme were included, with a mean age of 64.96±13.03 years, and a time on dialysis of 4.32±5.32 years. The 62.75% were men. Health-related quality of life, comorbidity, treatment adherence, level of practical knowledge and socio-demographic variables were analysed. The measurement instruments were the modified Charlson comorbidity index, Hermes test, Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SFTM). Self-care knowledge on general care, vascular access and diet was assessed. Results: The mean comorbidity index was 4.42±2.83 points, and treatment adherence, using the Hermes test, was 2.78±0.84 points. In the linear regression analysis, according to the physical component model, the values of the beta coefficient (β) associated with sex were β=0.304 (p=0.031) and with comorbidity of β=-0.436 (p=0.003). In the mental component, beta coefficient for sex was β=0.330 (p=0.035) and treatment adherence was β=0.311 (p=0.048), respectively. Conclusions: Low level of knowledge is not associated with lower quality of life in the population studied. Compliant patients obtained better results in the standardised mental component. The higher the comorbidity, the lower the quality of life.