title: Factors associated with health-related quality of life in elderly patients on hemodialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors associated with health-related quality of life in elderly patients on hemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study including 223 patients aged > 60 years on hemodialysis conducted in dialysis centers in the city of Belo Horizonte, southeastern Brazil, in 2008. Health-related quality of life was measured with the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (MOS SF-36). The three KDQOL-SF component scores measured were: kidney disease component summary (11 subscales), physical component summary (four subscales) and mental component summary (four subscales).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant independent negative associations were found between the kidney disease and mental components and number of chronic diseases and treatment duration. A lower physical component was seen among women, those with more advanced age, more hospital admissions, and three or more chronic diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The finding that health-related quality of life was consistently associated with chronic diseases points to the importance of the morbidity profile in elderly patients on hemodialysis. The associated factors identified including advanced age, female gender, number of hospital admissions and treatment duration can provide input for planning health actions that can more adequately meet this populations' needs.
authors: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. sonia.fm.braga@gmail.com
authors: Sonia Faria Mendes
authors: SF
authors: Braga
authors: Sérgio Viana
authors: SV
authors: Peixoto
authors: Isabel Cristina
authors: IC
authors: Gomes
authors: Francisco de Assis
authors: Fde A
authors: Acúrcio
authors: Eli Iola Gurgel
authors: EI
authors: Andrade
authors: Mariângela Leal
authors: ML
authors: Cherchiglia
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population