Description

ABSTRACT

In end stage renal disease (ESRD exploration of the Quality of life (QOL) is an important treatment modulator. This study evaluates the correlation between factors for a decreased quality of life and proposes serum cystatinC as an alternative marker.

Methods: Our study included 52 maintenance HD patients. Quality of life of these patients was assessed using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument (KDQOL-SFTM1.3). Clinical, laboratory and socio-demographic variables were investigated. Mean scores were compared for individual domain scores and for the three composite summary scores, namely the mental component summary (MCS), the physical component summary (PCS) and kidney disease component summary (KDCS).

Results: Our study concludes with the overall mean score for QOL was 52.98. Where domains with very low scores were  ‘burden of kidney disease’, ‘work statuses’, ‘role limitations-physical’, ‘general health’ and ‘role limitations-emotional’. Beside that domains with very high scores were ‘dialysis staff encouragement’, ‘social support’ and ‘quality of social interaction’. The mean scores for KDCS, MCS and PCS were 59.6, 41.4and 35.6 respectively. There was a positive correlation between KDCS and MCS (r= 0.425, P= 0.002); and between KDCS and PCS (r=0.388, P=0.004). Positive correlation was also evaluated between time on HD and KDCS and negative correlation between age and CystatinC on KDCS, age and Calcium on MCS, and between Hemoglobin and PCS respectively.

Conclusion: There is a correlation between socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory factors for a decreased quality of life in this population. Beside the traditional biochemical markers we propose serum cystatinC as an alternative option for renal function estimation and evaluation of QOL in CKD patients. The possible factors related to QOL were: age, time on HD, employment status, education level, BMI, albumin, serum hemoglobin, serum calcium, serum phosphorous, serum cystatinC, serum uric acid levels.

Key words: End Stage Renal Disease, Quality of life, Hemodialysis, KDQOL instrument, Maintenance hemodialysis, Quality of life in ESRD.