Effect of End‐Stage Renal Disease on the Quality of Life of Older Patients

Abstract

If dialysis initiation is planned, ESRD in older patients has no more effect on QOL than others diseases. However, patients whose dialysis is unplanned have severely impaired QOL. These results represent an argument for improving the predialysis care of older renal failure patients to optimize conditions at first dialysis.

Fatores associados com a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de idosos em hemodiálise

“…The mean PCS score found in the current study was higher than that reported in other studies with elderly patients, 5,12,18,24 while the MCS score was lower. With regard to the KDCS score, Harris et al 5 found better QoL when compared to the elderly in the current study.…”

“…18,20 A major finding of the current study was that the score difference between PCS and MCS was small (38.28 [SD 9.11] vs. 41.45 [SD 9.88], respectively), which contrast with that found in literature, much higher MCS than PCS scores in elderly on hemodialysis. 5,12,13,17,24 However, the elderly in this study were initiating dialysis (85% were on dialysis for less than 24 months), suggesting that MCS was more affected during this period.…”

“…The generic dimensions of SF-36 with the lowest scores were physical functioning, role-physical, and overall health rating. Other studies with elderly in Brazil 9,20 and in other countries 5,20,12,18,24 also found lower mean scores on both generic and specifi c dimensions.…”

“…These results show that QoL differs greatly between populations and is consistently different between younger and older elderly patients and among elderly populations from different geographical areas. 12,[15][16][17][18]20,24 Lower scores were seen with increasing age in some populations 12,[15][16][17]24 and QoL tended to increase among more older patients. 18,20 A major finding of the current study was that the score difference between PCS and MCS was small (38.28 [SD 9.11] vs. 41.45 [SD 9.88], respectively), which contrast with that found in literature, much higher MCS than PCS scores in elderly on hemodialysis.…”

“…5,9,10,12,18,20,24 The specifi c dimensions of KDQOL-SF with the lowest mean scores were effects of kidney disease on daily life, burden of kidney disease, work status and patient satisfaction. The generic dimensions of SF-36 with the lowest scores were physical functioning, role-physical, and overall health rating.…”