title: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients over 65 years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of elderly patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) of our region, and to identify socio-demographic and clinical variables which influence it. We also attempted to compare HRQOL of transplant patients, with that of chronic hemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional Hospital Nephrology Unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients from 9 of the 10 hemodialysis centres in our region, aged 65 years or more, who had been on RRT (chronic hemodialysis and kidney transplantation) for at least three months, showing no cognitive problems, were included. The sample included 124 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  These patients participated in a structured interview using two generic HRQOL questionnaires: Sickness Impact Profile and SF-36 Health Survey. Karnofsky Scale, Comorbidity Index, socio-demographic and clinical data, were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 71 years (range 65-75); 55.6% of the patients were male; 19.8% of the sample were transplant patients and 80.2%, hemodialysis patients (only 2% on renal transplant waiting list); 69.2% had a low-intermediate socio-economic level, 52.9% had elementary studies, and 10.6% lived alone. Transplant patients had higher HRQOL than hemodialysis patients. Women had lower HRQOL than men. A higher economic level, higher educational level, higher Karnofsky Performance Scale, and lower Comorbidity Index score, were associated with higher HRQOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The good HRQOL of elderly transplant patients, in comparison with hemodialysis patients, is an important reason for advising kidney transplants in elderly patients. Economic and educational levels, functional status and comorbidity are variables which influence the HRQOL of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Nefrología-I del Hospital Central de Asturias, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rebollo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Baltar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Díaz-Corte
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Navascués
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naves
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ureña
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Badía
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Ude
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Grande
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile