Determining Quality of Life and Sleep in Hemodialysis Patients

BACKGROUND Hemodialysis causes major changes in patients' lifestyles that affect their quality of life (QoL) and sleep quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life and sleep of hemodialysis patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS The study sample was 138 patients receiving dialysis in a university hospital dialysis unit. Data were collected with a personal information form (PIF), Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form (SF‐36) questionnaire, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS All of the hemodialysis patients had low quality of life. There was a significant correlation between QoL and sleep quality ( p < .001); as QoL decreased sleep quality also decreased. As patients' age increased their QoL and sleep decreased. Women, housewives, those with no formal education, and patients living in extended families had lower QoL. Patients aged 51 years and older had low QoL and sleep. No significant difference was found in QoL and sleep according to the patient's duration of hemodialysis ( p > .05). CONCLUSION Hemodialysis patients have a low QoL and there is a close correlation between QoL and sleep quality. Interventions to help dialysis patients maintain their QoL and sleep are as important as extending their lives.