Health-related Quality of life in Patients on Hemodialysis Compared to Peritoneal Dialysis: A cross-sectional Study

Background Objective: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic renal diseases is an important factor for physicians to select a dialysis modality. The present study aimed to compare the HRQoL in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Materials Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of HD patients and a sample of age- and sex-matched PD patients with at least six months dialysis were recruited. Then, the quality of life was assessed using the Short Form Health survey (SF-36). Demographic and disease-related information was also recorded. Then, data were analyzed using the SPSS software (ver. 21). Results: Totally, 172 HD patients and 86 age- and sex-matched PD controls were entered into the study. Overall the PD patients had more dialysis per week (P 0.001). Comparing quality of life between two groups showed significant differences in physical functioning, rolephysical, role-emotional and physical component summary observed (P 0.05). In addition, role physical in HD patients and bodily pain in PD were the worst and best dimensions of quality of life, respectively. Conclusion: The findings suggest that patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis had a better quality of life in most measures. It seems that we need to educate and encourage patients to choose peritoneal dialysis in order to enjoy a better quality of life.