Symptom burden and health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is a substantial outcome of the treatment of kidney failure. Hemodialysis patients report a tremendous symptom burden which appears to be associated with HRQOL. This study aimed to identify symptom burden and the association between symptom burden and HRQOL. This study used a cross-sectional design. One hundred hemodialysis patients completed the modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and Kidney Dialysis Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF). The mean of the total modified ESAS scores was 12.6 (SD = 6.27) and the overall HRQOL score was 54.74 (SD = 5.62). There was a correlation between symptom burden and HRQOL scores (r = −0.244; p < 0.05). The symptom burden in the hemodialysis patients was significant and had a negative correlation with the overall HRQOL. This study provides data for institutional programs to reduce symptom burden and improve the quality of life in hemodialysis patients.