Contributions to the quality of life of chronic renal insufficient patients

Abstract

Introduction: Quality of Life of renal insufficient patients cannot be evaluated only on a partial basis, but rather as whole human beings, with their individuality, particularly in their health, social and economic, psychological, emotional, familial and environmental status. Our aim: to assess the quality of life of haemodialysis patients in their variable contexts such as, personal, sociological, physiological, social and emotional lives. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 treatment units in the centre of Portugal. Data collection was carried out by questionnaire divided into various scales and applied to 160 haemodialysis patients. Results: Age, overall anxiety and extroversion are predictive factors of physical functions. Socialeconomic levels, age anxiety and extroversion are relative physical functions. Cognitive anxiety, haemodialysis time, age and a sense of responsibility/demand are predictors of pain. Somatic anxiety, duration of haemodialysis, extroversion and financial support are predictors. Extroversion, cognitive anxiety, age, and total social support are predictors of vitality. Total social support, family Apgar, age and somatic anxiety are predictors of social functions. Social-economical levels, age and physiological performance . Neurological stability is the only predictor of mental health. Age and overall anxiety predicted health changes. Social-economical levels, cognitive anxiety, age and extroversion were general predictors of overall quality of life. Conclusions: We would like to point out through these results, the importance this type of research, in that it has given some contribution to the quality of life of haemodialysis patients.