How to improve quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease: a personal view.

The quality of life (QoL) of patients affected with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is clearly diminished, especially at the dialysis or renal transplantation stage. To find an equilibrium and improve his/her QoL, the patient should be active and positive regarding his/her own disease. The patient's disease profoundly affects the QoL of spouse and family. The patient and his family are in permanent need of more knowledge and information about the disease. Health professionals should be aware of all these consequences and try to help/advise the patient to reach the goal of a better daily life in his/her own environment.