INTERPRETATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES AMONGST END STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS OF MALAYSIA

The concept of Health-related quality of life takes into account about patient well-being as expressed by both physical and psychological domains of health. The relevance of this concept in end stage renal disease patients has been well established and can be used for routine treatment of patients with renal failure. It is of deemed interest to compare health and wellness of end stage renal disease adult patients undergoing Haemodialysis and Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in selected hospitals of Malaysia and to study the relationship between disease symptoms experienced by patients with their quality of life. The study was conducted in two government hospitals of Malaysia. The study involved 220 renal impairment patients and their recruitment is based on standard inclusion criteria. Medical outcome study 36-item short form was used to evaluate Health-related quality of life. The symptoms were tested as per the standard revised illness perception questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the completed study shows that there are significant differences in quality of life among patients with variable age groups and working status. These findings are evident from geriatric patients who were found to haveincreased risk of co-morbidities and decreased quality of life. Employed patients and unemployed patients receiving pension had better economic status and were able to support treatment cost as compared to unemployed patients without pension. The Physical and mental component summary of Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients were found to be better than Haemodialysis patients. Hence, the treating physician should give wise counselling to the patients on choice of dialysis modality and measures to minimize the symptoms experienced by them so as to improve their quality of life.