Psychosocial quality of life of elderly hemodialysis patients using visual analog scale: Comparison with healthy elderly in Japan

Hiroshi Kanamori, Motoko Yanagita, Kojiro Nagai, Takeshi Matsubara, Hajime Takechi, Keiichi Fujimaki, Akira Hra, Kazumasa Usami, Atsushi Fukatsu, Toru Kita, Kozo Matsubayashi, Hidenori Arai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: The number of elderly hemodialysis (HD) patients is increasing in Japan, and the psychosocial impact of HD to the elderly remains unclear. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) of elderly patients undergoing regular HD. Methods: We examined the psychosocial status in elderly HD patients and compared it with that in healthy elderly individuals. The correlations between each item of QOL, laboratory data and comorbidities were explored. This study cohort consisted of 142 people (70 healthy elderly participants and 72 elderly HD patients). We assessed 10 items of QOL, i.e., health condition, appetite, sleep, mood, memory, family relationship, friendship, economical status, satisfaction in daily life, and happiness by visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Overall, elderly HD patients had lower scores of VAS than healthy elderly participants, especially in sleep, mood, and happiness, but not in family relationship and friendship. Lower VAS scores for sleep were significantly correlated with the duration of HD therapy and the troubles in vascular access for HD. VAS scores for family relationship were also correlated with the duration of HD therapy. Conclusion: The QOL of elderly HD patients was poorer than that in healthy elderly individuals, particularly in sleep, mood and happiness. Further study is needed to improve the QOL of elderly HD patients. This is of great importance, since the number of elderly HD patients is estimated to escalate in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)116-120
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Clinical Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume2
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12-2011
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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