title: The Impact of Kt/V Urea-Based Dialysis Adequacy on Quality of Life and Adherence in Haemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece.
abstract: There is clear evidence of a link between dialysis adequacy (as measured by urea kinetic modeling or urea reduction ratio) and such important clinical outcomes as morbidity and mortality. Evidence regarding the relationship between dialysis adequacy and quality of life (QOL) outcomes as well as adherence is less clear. The present paper is a study protocol which is planning to answer the following research question: what is the impact of dialysis adequacy on QOL and adherence in a sample of hemodialysis patients? The final sample size will be around 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Each subject's QOL and adherence will be measured using the following instruments: i) the Missoula-VITAS quality of life index 25; ii) the multidimensional scale of perceived social support and iii) the simplified medication adherence questionnaire. Dialysis adequacy is expected to be related to QOL and adherence scores.
authors.affiliation: Sotiria Hospital for Thoracic Diseases , Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Theofilou
authors.affiliation: Social Worker-Psychologist , Acharnes, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Togas
authors.affiliation: Department of Nurse Training, Continual Renal Replacement Therapy, Ariti Company , Acharnes, Greece.
authors.forename: Chrysoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vasilopoulou
authors.affiliation: General Hospital of Korinthos, University of Peloponnese , Sparta, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minos
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Human Movement and Quality of Life Sciences, University of Peloponnese , Sparta, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zyga
authors.affiliation: Renal Department, General Hospital of Corinth , Greece.
authors.forename: Giorgos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tzitzikos
keywords: adherence; dialysis adequacy; hemodialysis; quality of life; social support