[Quality of life in chronic renal disease patients submitted to hemodialysis evaluated with SF-36 instrument].
Quality of life is a new concept in the health area and controversies exist about its application to clinical practice. Studies carried out in Brazil in the nephrology area have indicated the need for further investigations.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the quality of life of patients with different times of hemodialysis.


METHODS
The study consisted of application of the questionnare SF-36, collection of demographic, socioeconomic and biochemical data, as well as of the clinical characteristics.


RESULTS
The study was conducted on 184 patients, 63% of them males, aged 46 15 years (X SD), with a hemodialysis time of 30 36 months; 48% had up to 4 years of schooling and 53% belonged to the economic-social classes D and E. Impairment of the different dimensions analyzed was observed, with the poorest results being obtained for Physical Aspects and Vitality. A negative correlation was detected between Age and Functional Capacity, Physical Aspects, Pain, and Vitality, and between Hemodialysis Time and Emotional Aspects. A positive correlation was observed between Schooling and Emotional Aspects and between Hemoglobin and Vitality. We observed that diabetic patients were older than non-diabetic patients and presented lower values for the Functional Capacity and General Health condition dimensions.


CONCLUSIONS
SF-36 proved to be a good instrument for the assessment of the quality of life of hemodialysis patients. The presence of a chronic disease, the need for continuous treatment over a long period of time, advanced age, and the presence of co-morbidities were factors that might interfere with the quality of life of this population.
de Castro
Mônica
M
Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Fundação Oswaldo Ramas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Caiuby
Andrea Vannini Santesso
AV
Draibe
Sérgio Antônio
SA
Canziani
Maria Eugênia Fernandes
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors