Health-related quality of life among the patients undergoing dialysis in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Southern India

Background & objectives Dialysis is a therapeutic intervention where it is essential to consider patients' quality of life (QOL) as a key aspect of care. This study aims to assess the QOL of patients and identify factors affecting QOL in patients undergoing dialysis. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 140 participants undergoing dialysis at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, history of co-morbid conditions, and details regarding the duration and type of dialysis were collected. QOL was assessed using the European Quality of Life assessment instrument, the EuroQOL 5-Dimensional 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Results The mean age of the participants was 41 yr (SD±12). Of 140 participants, 96 (68.6%) were men; 80 (57.1%) resided in rural areas. Hypertension was the most common co-existing condition, present in (n=136; 97%) participants. In the QOL assessment, participants reported a total of 86 distinct health states. The most frequently reported states were 11111 (8.6%) and 11121 (2.9%). The health state associated with the poorest quality of life was 55544, reported by one study participant. A majority of participants (86.4%) experienced pain or discomfort, and more than three-fourths (78.6%) reported difficulty performing their usual activities. The mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.581 (95% CI: 0.522-0.639), and the mean EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS) score was 49.0 (95% CI: 46.6-51.3). Patients undergoing haemodialysis (0.714) reported a significantly higher quality of life compared to those on peritoneal dialysis (0.512), with a P value of 0.005. Interpretation & conclusions The mean utility score among participants undergoing dialysis reflects a compromised quality of life.