Objective:

To determine the relationship between patients’ perceived quality of life on hemodialysis, the timing of its measurement, and the number of symptoms/complications occurring during the session.

Material and Method:

Longitudinal observational study in hemodialysis patients with preserved cognitive capacity. Sociodemographic and clinical variables and quality of life were collected using the Coop-Wonka instrument. The study was conducted in 2 phases:

First phase: pre-HD quality of life evaluation, self-administered questionnaire (12 hours before the 1st weekly session).

Second phase: 4 weeks later, completion of the same quality of life questionnaire, administered by nursing staff at the end of the 1st weekly session.

All symptoms, mechanical complications, and stress situations experienced by the patient during the sessions were recorded for four weeks.

Results:

Sixty-one patients were studied, 39 men (64%). The mean age was 67.7±13 years. Time on hemodialysis was 68.7±79 months. Overall scores for health-related quality of life were 25.6±6.9 points (1st phase) and 24.2±7 points (2nd phase), with significant differences between both periods. 328 symptoms were recorded (0.44±0.54/patient and session). Time on hemodialysis was related to symptomatology and quality of life, pre-session and post-session. Symptomatology was related to health-related quality of life pre and post-session.

Conclusions:

Patients who have been on hemodialysis for more extended periods have worse quality of life and more symptoms during the sessions. Their perception of their health status is better post-session compared to pre-dialysis sessions.