The Oxford-Manchester study of dialysis patients. Age, risk factors and treatment method in relation to quality of life

Abstract

A retrospective study of 159 patients who started Haemodialysis (HD) or Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), between 1981 and 1984 was carried out in two UK Renal Units. An extension of the study was carried out in one unit during 1985, gathering data on 30 patients aged greater than 65. The aim was to assess whether age, medical or social risk factors, or treatment method, affected perceived quality of life. Assessment was by standardised self-report questionnaire. The overall life satisfaction, measured on Cantril's ladder scale, showed no significant difference between dialysis patients and a normal population. On a quality of life semantic differential scale CAPD patients scored significantly better than HD patients. Satisfaction with sexual relationships showed marked deterioration in all age groups, but this did not seem to affect reported satisfaction with marriage. Those aged greater than 65 scored significantly better than younger patients on dialysis stress scales, and were generally more satisfied with life. When the study population was sub-divided into four groups, by age (less than or greater than 60) and presence or absence of additional factors, were seen to be those least satisfied with life on several different assessment scales.