title: Quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients:about 71 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The chronic hemodialysis imposes various limitations on patients that may affect their quality of life. However, Tunisian studies on this matter remain scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the quality of life among hemodialysis patients and to identify the factors influencing their quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional study which included 71 outpatients, during the month of January 2013, in the department of Nephrology at Hedi Chaker Sfax university hospital in Tunisia. We used the specific scale Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL-SF™) to assess the patient's quality of life. This instrument combines the short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) and a specific module adapted to renal function. Regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The global average score, according to KDQOL-SF and the SF-36 were respectively 51.6 and 38.2. The QOL was impaired in 90% of the cases. The logistic regression identified six variables to be correlated with impaired QOL. These six factors in descending order of importance were:  lack of autonomy, a dialysis rhythm of thrice a week, an age over 60 years, a comorbid diabetes, low social economic level and living in rural areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study highlights the high frequency of QOL impairment upon patients on hemodialysis underlining the interest of a systematic effort to assess the quality of life in those patients. It also shows the interest of acting upon modifiable factors correlated with the alteration of the quality of life. In this way, the professional integration of the patients should be favored as well as peritoneal dialysis.
authors.forename: Lobna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zouari
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omri
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turki
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maâlej
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Charfi
authors.forename: Jihène
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ben Thabet
authors.forename: Hichem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mahfoudh
authors.forename: Jamil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hachicha
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maâlej
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology; D014416:Tunisia