Quality of life of patients on renal replacement therapy in a situation of social vulnerability

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the quality of life of CKD patients on hemodialysis in a municipality in Maranhão, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 47 hemodialysis patients at a clinic in Maranhão, applying a sociodemographic questionnaire and the KDQOL-SF™ 1.3. Results: The majority of patients were male, over 60 years of age, married, with less than a high school education, unemployed, with low socioeconomic status, living with family members, and in urban areas. The most common activities were demanding activities, time spent on CKD, disappointment, health affecting paid work, cramps, and weakness/dizziness. The lowest score was for "burden of kidney disease" and the highest for "encouragement of the dialysis team." The dimensions "physical role," "pain," and "work status" did not rank among the highest, but performed better than in the literature. The associations were significant between marital status and 'kidney disease burden,' gender with 'work status' and 'emotional well-being,' occupation and 'cognitive function,' education level and 'dialysis team support,' area of residence and 'patient satisfaction,' age group and 'physical functioning.' Conclusion: Patients presented satisfactory scores on the quality of life questionnaire, but with some critical dimensions and variables, indicating priority interventions and better investigation, in addition to indicators.