OBJECTIVE: In the Lorraine area (France), dialysis centers propose an educational program to improve patient's ability to perform dialysis by themselves. The objective was to assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the first year of dialysis, comparing independent patients with patients on in-center dialysis. METHOD: All patients aged between 18 and 70 and having started their first dialysis between June 1997 and June 1999 in the Lorraine area were included. Socio-demographic, medical data and HRQoL (KDQoL) were assessed for each patient at enrollment, at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: At 12 months, 195 patients were in dialysis, 147 were non-autonomous, and 48 were autonomous. Independent patients were younger, were more often in occupational activity, had a lower body mass index and had fewer comorbidities. Several dimensions of the HRQoL were significantly higher in autonomous patients at baseline: physical functioning (60.4 vs. 50.7) and work status (30.9 vs. 18.4); and at 12 months: less burden of kidney disease (51.7 vs. 37.3), fewer effects of kidney disease (65.9 vs. 54.0), cognitive function (72.0 vs. 62.7) and role-emotional (53.0 vs. 34.5). CONCLUSION: These results show improved HRQoL among independent patients. Our regional care network may be a particularly useful model for undertaking actions motivating the healthcare teams and for enhancing the human resources devoted to patient education.
OBJECTIVE: In the Lorraine area (France), dialysis centers propose an educational program to improve patient's ability to perform dialysis by themselves. The objective was to assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the first year of dialysis, comparing independent patients with patients on in-center dialysis. METHOD: All patients aged between 18 and 70 and having started their first dialysis between June 1997 and June 1999 in the Lorraine area were included. Socio-demographic, medical data and HRQoL (KDQoL) were assessed for each patient at enrollment, at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: At 12 months, 195 patients were in dialysis, 147 were non-autonomous, and 48 were autonomous. Independent patients were younger, were more often in occupational activity, had a lower body mass index and had fewer comorbidities. Several dimensions of the HRQoL were significantly higher in autonomous patients at baseline: physical functioning (60.4 vs. 50.7) and work status (30.9 vs. 18.4); and at 12 months: less burden of kidney disease (51.7 vs. 37.3), fewer effects of kidney disease (65.9 vs. 54.0), cognitive function (72.0 vs. 62.7) and role-emotional (53.0 vs. 34.5). CONCLUSION: These results show improved HRQoL among independent patients. Our regional care network may be a particularly useful model for undertaking actions motivating the healthcare teams and for enhancing the human resources devoted to patient education.
Authors: C Meers; M A Singer; E B Toffelmire; W Hopman; M McMurray; A R Morton; T A MacKenzie Journal: Am J Kidney Dis Date: 1996-06 Impact factor: 8.860
Authors: D N Churchill; G W Torrance; D W Taylor; C C Barnes; D Ludwin; A Shimizu; E K Smith Journal: Clin Invest Med Date: 1987-01 Impact factor: 0.825
Authors: Y M Binik; G M Devins; P E Barre; R D Guttmann; D J Hollomby; H Mandin; L C Paul; R B Hons; E D Burgess Journal: J Nerv Ment Dis Date: 1993-06 Impact factor: 2.254