Assessment of the quality of life in patients on haemodialysis in Iraq.

Chronic kidney disease requires life-long renal replacement therapy, which can greatly impair the quality of life (QOL) of patients. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the QOL of patients on haemodialysis, and the factors affecting it, at the dialysis unit of Basra General Hospital. A total of 104 patients with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis were included. Data were collected using the World Health Organization QOL questionnaire. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected. Of the 104 patients, 57% were male, 73% were older than 45 years, 87% were of middle and low socioeconomic status, 70% had been on dialysis for more than 1 year, 74% had arteriovenous fistula vascular access, 34% had diabetes and 48% were positive for hepatitis virus. All domains of QOL (physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment) were affected; the physical domain was the most severely affected. Older age, lower socioeconomic status, longer duration of dialysis, central line vascular access, having diabetes and positive hepatitis serology were significantly associated with lower QOL (P < 0.05).