Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: We aimed to identify the factors affecting the quality of life in patients with hematologic disorders. Methods: The sample group of 150 participants was randomly selected from among those who received he-modialysis at three public hospitals in Jeonju and Gwangju provinces and two private hospitals in Seoul, Ko-rea. Among the 150 questionnaires retrieved, 143 were used for analysis, while 7 incomplete questionnaires were excluded. An independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis were performed to verify the effect on quality of life according to general characteristics such as implementing self-care, stress, and depression in patients receiving hemodialysis. Results: General characteristics of participants accounting for differences in the quality of life were residential area (P<0.001), sex (P=0.031), monthly income (P=0.007), and frequency of dialysis (P=0.023). Moreover, quality of life was significantly and positively correlated with implementing self-care (P<0.001) and significantly and negatively correlated with stress (P<0.001) and depression (P<0.001). The variables affecting quality of life were depression (P<0.001), frequency of dialysis (two times a week) (P=0.008), monthly income (USD $2,000) (P=0.007), implementing self-care (P=0.004), and stress (P=0.010). The explanatory power (R2) of quality of life was 51.3%. Conclusion: This study suggests providing self-nursing education to improve the quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis. It also seeks ways to improve the patient’s self-efficacy and reduce stress and depression among hemodialysis patients.