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03-Jun-2018
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Arch Hellen Med, 35(3), May-June 2018, 364-371 ORIGINAL PAPER A study of the quality of life of hemodialysis patients with and without diabetes mellitus S. Falakidou,1 T. Kafkia,2 M. Kourakos,3 Ι. Roundenko,4 S. Spaia,1 Α. Dimitriadou,2 Ε. Minasidou2 |
OBJECTIVE The comparison of the quality of life (QoL) in two groups of hemodialysis patients, those with and those without diabetes mellitus (DM). The ultimate aim was to identify factors that affect the QoL of these patients and to design strategies to improve it.
METHOD An analytical observation study was conducted, with a sample of 80 hemodialysis patients in a Kidney Disease Unit in Thessaloniki, Greece. The demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded and a self-completed questionnaire, the Greek version of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF™), was administered. This includes questions on physical and social functioning, physical and emotional role, physical pain, general and mental health, and patient vitality.
RESULTS The level of general and mental health of patients without DM was found to be higher than that of patients with DM. The reported cognitive and sexual function was better in the patients without DM. Μen and younger patients reported higher levels of physical and mental health.
CONCLUSIONS Hemodialysis patients without DM appeared to enjoy better health and higher level of work participation, but also reported better mental processes, such as cognitive functioning. In addition, men and younger patients recorded better health scores than women and older patients. Assessment of the QoL of patients with chronic health problems helps health care professionals to design and implement appropriate interventions.
Key words: Chronic kidney disease, Diabetes mellitus, Hemodialysis, Quality of life.
