Background and aims: Given the rising prevalence of end-stage renal disease and subsequent progressive increase of patients starting renal replacement therapy, a great attention is given by scientific community to the assessment of life perception and Quality of Life (QoL) in dialysis patients. A broad literature review was conducted on PubMed and PsyInfo databases for articles published between January 2000 and July 2016 in order to understand the biological and psychosocial variables potentially affecting the QoL of the patients under artificial substitution of kidney function.
Methods: Five domains related to the concepts of physical functions, mood, sleep, spirituality, and social support have been identified.
Results: The findings in this review suggest that the variables related to physical activity and depression seem to have a direct impact on QoL and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Others, such as anxiety, awareness, empowerment, the presence of sleep disorders, satisfaction, support from the staff, social support, spirituality and religion have a clear correlation with the QoL dimensions.
Conclusions: These results suggest the primary importance of the assessment biological and psychosocial variables by specific tools and the inclusion of effective interventions targeted to patients and their caregivers.
Keywords: Dialysis; Quality of life; Systematic review.