title: A Randomized Trial on Health-Related Patient Satisfaction Level with High-Efficiency Online Hemodiafiltration versus High-Flux Dialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to investigate the effect of on-line HDF versus high-flux (HF) hemodialysis (HD) on a patient's health-related satisfaction level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overall, 72 patients, on regular low-flux HD for 51 ± 26 month mean age of 54 ± 12 years, were randomized to HF (group 1, n = 36) and to HDF (group 2, n = 36) and followed up for 24 months. Assessment was based on the patient's satisfaction level using modified questionnaires of the validated Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF) version 1.3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HDF group achieved a higher satisfaction level than the HF group (p < 0.0001) with less cramps (3 ± 5 vs. 55 ± 8), itching (9 ± 10 vs. 48 ± 10), joint pain and stiffness (24 ± 10 vs. 83 ± 8), and improvement in general mood (94 ± 9 vs. 28 ± 16), sexual performance (57 ± 10 vs. 5 ± 5), and social activity (82 ± 9 vs. 15 ± 8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-efficiency postdilution on-line HDF versus high-flux HD significantly improved patients' satisfaction and quality of life, including social, physical, and professional activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Kanoo Kidney Center, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karkar
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdelrahman
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017583:Hemodiafiltration / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome