Stress factors and quality of life in adult hemodialysis patients
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Abstract
Abstract
The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of physiological and psychosocial stress on the quality of life (QoL) in a group of hemodialysis (HD) patients from our center. Materials and methods: A number of 70 patients were included in the study. We used the Hemodialysis Stressors Scale, in order to estimate the stress level, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey Questionnaire, to evaluate the QoL. Results: The M for age = 54.5 ± 11.7 years and 38.6% were men. Patients with a low level of stress had significantly higher physical health (M = 53,52; p = 0.04) and mental health (M = 51,61; p <0.01) scores. The disease-related factors that induced the highest level of stress were the physical symptoms (1.67 ± 0.68), the food and water intake restrictions (1.64 ± 0.76), the vascular access problems (1.44 ± 0.83), the daily activity limitations (1.22 ± 0.72), the dependence on the medical staff (1.14 ± 0.74). Socio-economical and demographical factors had no effect on stress and QoL. Conclusions: The study prove the importance of stress for the QoL in HD patients. Efforts should be undertaken to minimize stress factors.
Keywords: dialysis, stress, physical well-being, psychological well-being, quality of life
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