Quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background: In Italy, the number of patients living with chronic kidney disease, receiving dialysis treatments and kidney transplantations has increased. Chronic kidney disease can compromise daily activities, but psychosocial consequences of symptoms and treatments are not completely understood. The aim of this work is to assess QoL in relation with other psychosocial variables and treatment condition. Method: 138 Questionnaires were collected in a dialysis centre. The sample includes 104 patients in dialysis (haemodialysis and peritoneal) and 34 who received kidney transplantation. The questionnaire included the following: QoL, psychological well-being, illness representation, coping strategies and social support. Findings: Results show higher levels of QoL in patients after transplantation. Patients on the waiting-list show a better profile of QoL, whereas no relevant differences emerged based on the type of dialysis on psychosocial variables. A different pattern of psychosocial variables explains differences in QoL. Discussion: Clinical and non-clinical implications for patient management will be discussed.