Quality of life for Lublin and Copenhagen hemodialysis (HD) patients-comparison study

This study investigated the quality of life of patients chronically hemodialysed (HD patients) at two different university clinical hospitals - Copenhagen (Co) and Lublin (Lu). We compared the quality of life of 46 hemodialysis patients from Co and 53 from Lu centers. Studies were undertaken by means of a self-administered NHP questionnaire. The two examined groups differed in age (p=0.0002), education (p=0.05) and hemodialysis treatment duration (p=0.005). Polish patients were younger and the hemodialysis treatment time exceeded that of Danish patients. We noted a significant difference between both groups, concerning sleep (44.5 NHP sleep score of Polish vs 22.2 of Danish; p=0.002). Danish patients also demonstrated lower insignificant NHP scores around pain areas, emotional reactions, social isolation and mobility. Polish patients presented with a slightly lower energy score. Our findings indicate the low quality of life in both groups. Only 5.7% of Lu and 10.9% of Co patients were symptomless. Future investigations are needed in order to explain and improve these results.

Keywords: Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Hemodialysis patients, Quality of Life