Comparison of Body Image Perception and Social Functioning Among Patients with End-Stage Renal Failure and Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Background: End-stage renal failure (ESRD) deteriorates the quality of life of patients, as it increases their dependence on others and reduces their self-esteem. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate whether body image perception and social functioning of dialysis patients with End-stage renal failure (ESRD) differed in dialysis patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Methods: This case-control study included 120 patients, who underwent dialysis treatment in a state hospital from November 2014 to January 2016. The patient information form, body image scale, and social functioning scale were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (e.g., frequency, percentage, and mean), Chi-square test, independent t-test, and correlation tests. Results: Among ESRD patients, 88.6% were 56 years old, 65.7% were male, 97.1% underwent dialysis three times a week, and 97.1% were shunted. On the other hand, among patients with CRF, 71.8% were 55 years old, 51.8% were male, 52.7% underwent dialysis three times a week, and 50.8% were shunted. Regarding body image, 51.3% of ESRD patients, whose children noticed the change in their body image, felt most uncomfortable with the change in their body image, while 48.2% and 22.0% of CRF patients, whose children or others noticed the change in their body image, felt most uncomfortable, respectively; the difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In the present study, there was no significant difference among CRF and ESRD patients in terms of body image perception. However, there were differences in terms of social functioning. In fact, social functioning of CRF patients was superior to the ESRD group. It was concluded that better perception of body image is associated with the better social functioning of these patients.