title: Demographic factors affecting quality of life of hemodialysis patients - Lahore, Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to determine the demographic factors affecting Quality Of Life (QOL) of hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study was conducted at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore. Patients of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and on maintenance HD for more than three months were included during the period March to June 2012. Patient of ESRD not on dialysis and Acute Renal Failure were excluded. One hundred and twenty five patients who fulfilled the criteria were included. Demographic data containing age, sex, residence, socio economic status, education, mode of traveling for dialysis, total time consumed in dialysis were collected by the investigators. QOL index was measured using 26 items, WHO QOL BREF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 89(71.2%) male and 36(28.8%) female patients. Environmental domain score was highest (p=0.000) than all other domains in HD Patients. In overall analysis age, marital status and total time consumed in getting HD effect QOL significantly (p=<0.05). In domain wise analysis, male has better QOL in social relationship domain than female. Age has negative relationship with physical health and psychological health domain. QOL of unmarried and literate patients is significantly better (p=<0.05) in physical health domain. Employed patients have better QOL in physical, psychological and social relationship domain (p=<0.05) than unemployed patients. Patients of residence of rural areas have better QOL in physical and environment domain. Financial status of HD patients affect QOL in social domain. Distance covered to reach hospital effect QOL in psychological domain (p=<0.05). Patients traveling in private transport have better QOL in environmental domain (p=<0.05). Total time consumed in getting HD effect social relation in QOL (p=<0.05). According to linear regression model, marital status is positive predictor and unemployment is negative predictor of QOL in physical health domain. Age is negative predictor of QOL in psychological domain, monthly income is positive predictor of QOL in domain. Unemployment is positive predictor of QOL in social relation domain. Monthly income and place of residence is positive predictor of QOL in environment domain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender, age, marital status, unemployment, residence of rural area, economical status, distance covered to reach hospital, mode of transport, total time consumed in getting HD, effect QOL in HD patient. Education level is a positive factor for improving QOL of HD patients.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Muhammad Anees, MBBS, FCPS (Nephrology), Assistant Professor of Nephrology, Visiting Consultant Nephrologist, Shalamar Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anees
authors.affiliation: Dr. Muzammil Riaz Malik, MBBS, Registrar Nephrology Department. King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muzammil Riaz
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.affiliation: Dr. Tanzeel Abbasi, MBBS, Postgraduate Trainee, Nephrology Department, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Tanzeel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.affiliation: Dr. Zeeshan Nasir, MBBS, Postgraduate Trainee, Nephrology Department, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.affiliation: Dr. Yasir Hussain, MBBS, Postgraduate Trainee, Nephrology Department, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Yasir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Muhamamd Ibrahim, Associate Professor of Statistics, Registrar, Govt. M.A.O College, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhamamd
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
keywords: Demographic factors; ESRD; Hemodialyis; QOL; WHO QOL BREF