Comparing quality of life of patients in hemodialisys and post-renal transplant using the "WHOQOL-bref"

Abstract

This is an exploratory descriptive study with quantitative approach that aims to assess quality of Life (QOL) among transplanted and hemodialysis patients using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Sixty-two hemodialysis patients and 58 transplanted patients from the Onofre Lopes University Hospital of Natal, RN were evaluated between February and March, 2006. Result shows that male patients were most prevalent in both groups (post-transplant group 55.17%, hemodialysis group 51.61%); most patients were 28-43 years old, from which 53.45% were transplanted and 48.99% were hemodialysis patients. Analysis of the WHOQOL-BREF showed that average scores among post-transplant patients were 18.14 (Q-1) and 18.69 (Q-2), while mean scores among hemodialysis patients were 12.3 (Q-1) and 11.29 (Q-2). Aspects that differentiate QOL between the groups were obtained through the average scores of four major domains. For the post-transplant group, mean domain scores were: Physical 15.91; Psychological 16.75; Social Relations 17.79; and Environment 14.16. For the hemodialysis group, mean domain scores were: Physical 12.71; Psychological 14.84; Social Relations 16.58; and Environment 12.38. The post-transplant group achieved significantly higher scores in all the assessed items (p<0,005).