Life quality and health status correlation in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease from Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences Affiliated Hospitals, 2012

Introduction: Hemodialysis treatment process in patients with chronic renal failure affects the patient from clinical, psychosocial and economic aspects. Today, life quality is considered as the main indicator to assess the health status. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between life quality and health status in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease.

Materials & Methods: A descriptive correlational study on 122 was conducted for hemodialysis patients using simple random sampling. The instrument used is a questionnaire consisting of three-parts of demographic information, quality of life (SF-36) and health status. Data were analyzed by pearson correlation coefficient and paired t-test with SPSS, ver 17.

Results: The lowest mean for scores obtained from the aspects of health status belongs to the physical aspect. The majority (53.4%) received a poor score for health status. In addition, the mean score of life quality in patients was 46.85. Life quality had a significant relationship with the physical, psychological and social aspects of health status however, it did not show any significant relationship with the medical and economic aspects. Furthermore, its correlation with the physical and psychological aspects is more than other aspects. Life quality (r=0.76) and general health status (p<0.01) showed also a strong correlation.

Conclusion: Life quality and health status correlation demonstrated that patients’ attitudes towards themselves are affected by the health. Having a useful life, that is, in addition to the physical impairments caused by chronic renal failure and hemodialysis, the patient's psychological structure and social environment can affect their motivation and life expectancy.