A cross-sectional study to assess the health-related quality of life of patients on haemodialysis in Chennai

Abstract Background End-stage renal disease (ESRD) poses a significant burden globally and in India. However, access to treatment remains limited due to resource and cost constraints. This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and economic burden among haemodialysis patients. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study using European Quality of life, EQ-5D-5L, to measure health-related quality of life across 5 domains, i.e. mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, was administered, across three settings—government dialysis centre, private dialysis centre and charity based dialysis centre. The health utility values were also calculated. Also, the costs incurred in dialysis were done. Results The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 55 (± 11) years, the majority of the participants were male ( n = 61), 80% ( n = 64) of the participants were employed before and 40% of them had lost a job, due to the morbidity of the disease. Upon analyzing the EQ-5D-5L data, it is inferred that all five domains were the same across all three setups. The direct cost incurred on the haemodialysis ranged from INR.600 to INR.3500 per month, and the indirect cost ranged fromINR.50 to INR. 3000, which is borne by the participants, in about 70% of the cases. Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme was found to be extremely useful, wherein only 30% ( n = 25) of the study participants ( n =81) were insured beneficiaries. Conclusion HRQoL was moderately impaired, and treatment posed substantial financial hardship among hemodialysis patients. Expanding access to decentralized and community-based care models could help address the challenges of regular treatment and lost productivity.