Determination of the relationship between adequacy of dialysis and quality of life and self‐care agency

Aim and objectives To investigate the relationship between the dialysis adequacy and the quality of life and self‐care agency. Background Haemodialysis (HD), which is the leading treatment option for chronic renal failure (CRF), leads to significant changes in the life of the patient. These changes affecting almost all the dimensions of life also negatively affect the quality of life and self‐care agency. Design Descriptive study. Methods The research was conducted with a total of 112 patients who had been admitted to two private dialysis centres between May 2009 and September 2010, who met the research criteria. The Data Collection Form for the Socio‐demographic and Medical Characteristics, the Biochemical and Medical Parameters Form to determine the adequacy of dialysis, the SF‐36 Quality of Life Scale and the Self‐Care Agency Scale were used in the research. Results A significant relationship was found between Kt/V, one of the parameters used for the assessment of dialysis adequacy, and the emotional role scores of the SF‐36 Quality of Life Scale and between the URR level and physical functioning (r = +0·192, p = 0·045) and emotional role scores (r = +0·284, p = 0·003). No significant relationship could be found between the self‐care agency and the evaluated parameters. Conclusions Kt/V and URR, which have an effect on dialysis adequacy, may affect the quality of life. Our results are similar to those of previous studies, which showed that Kt/V and URR affect the quality of life. Relevance to clinical practice It was recommended to regularly control the parameters used for the assessment of dialysis adequacy and to evaluate their effects on the quality of life, to determine the most affected quality of life subparameters and to address these problems and solve them.