Factors associated with quality of life and its prediction in kidney patients on haemodialysis

Abstract

Background and objective: The present study aims to analyze the levels of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in haemodialysis, and to explore what demographic, medical and psychological variables are associated with HRQL and contribute to its prediction.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study with 302 patients with ACKD on haemodialysis. They were assessed: (1) HRQoL (Shorter Form Health Survey Questionnaire); (2) Anxiety and depression (Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale); (3) Sociodemographic data and (4) Medical data. Correlational analyses, means comparison and a path analyses with latent variables (PALV) were conducted.

Results: The PALV showed that 42% of the variance in the HRQL could be explained by the variables evaluated (χ²/df=2.10; GFI=.938; IFI=.920; CFI=.918; RMSEA=.062; SRMR=.056). Depression was the strongest predictor of HRQL (-.71; p=.002), followed by physical activity (-.19; p=.044). Age (-.122; p=.034) and comorbidity (-.206; p=.001) were weakly associated with physical HRQL. The practice of regular physical activity is related to the physical HRQoL (r=.21; p=.00) and mental (r=.12; p=.028).

Conclusions: A high percentage of the variance in HRQoL is explained by the levels of depression and physical activity. Interventions to promote HRQoL in patients with ESKD should focus in promoting physical activity and taking care of patient's mental health.