FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify factors associated with the quality of life/spirituality, religion and personal beliefs of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Method: correlational cross-sectional study. The following instruments were applied through individual interviews: the WHOQOL-Bref, the WHOQOL-SRPB, along with a questionnaire to characterize the participants. The sample consisted of 110 participants with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Descriptive analysis was performed along with univariate and multiple logistic regression to identify associated factors. Results: low level of albumin was mainly associated with the “physical” and “social relationships” domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Participants without an occupation presented the greatest compromise in the domains “Connectedness to a spiritual being or force” and “Awe”. In the domain “spiritual strength”, participants worth an occupation presented higher chances of low quality of life. Conclusion: the factors associated with the domains of quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis were: occupation, marital status, sex, education, religion, levels of hematocrit and albumin, and overall health.