TY - JOUR
T1 - Differences in quality of life of hemodialysis patients between dialysis centers
AU - Mazairac, Albert H.A.
AU - Grooteman, Muriel P.C.
AU - Blankestijn, Peter J.
AU - Lars Penne, E.
AU - Van Der Weerd, Neelke C.
AU - Den Hoedt, Claire H.
AU - Van Den Dorpel, Marinus A.
AU - Buskens, Erik
AU - Nubé, Menso J.
AU - Ter Wee, Piet M.
AU - Ardine De Wit, G.
AU - Bots, Michiel L.
PY - 2012/3/1
Y1 - 2012/3/1
N2 - Purpose: Hemodialysis patients undergo frequent and long visits to the clinic to receive adequate dialysis treatment, medical guidance, and support. This may affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Although HRQOL is a very important management aspect in hemodialysis patients, there is a paucity of information on the differences in HRQOL between centers. We set out to assess the differences in HRQOL of hemodialysis patients between dialysis centers and explore which modifiable center characteristics could explain possible differences. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 570 hemodialysis patients from 24 Dutch dialysis centers. HRQOL was measured with the Kidney Disease Quality Of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF). Results: After adjustment for differences in case-mix, three HRQOL domains differed between dialysis centers: the physical composite score (PCS, P = 0.01), quality of social interaction (P = 0.04), and dialysis staff encouragement (P = 0.001). These center differences had a range of 11-21 points on a scale of 0-100, depending on the domain. Two center characteristics showed a clinical relevant relation with patients' HRQOL: dieticians' fulltimeequivalent and the type of dialysis center. Conclusion This study showed that clinical relevant differences exist between dialysis centers in multiple HRQOL domains. This is especially remarkable as hemodialysis is a highly standardized therapy.
AB - Purpose: Hemodialysis patients undergo frequent and long visits to the clinic to receive adequate dialysis treatment, medical guidance, and support. This may affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Although HRQOL is a very important management aspect in hemodialysis patients, there is a paucity of information on the differences in HRQOL between centers. We set out to assess the differences in HRQOL of hemodialysis patients between dialysis centers and explore which modifiable center characteristics could explain possible differences. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 570 hemodialysis patients from 24 Dutch dialysis centers. HRQOL was measured with the Kidney Disease Quality Of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF). Results: After adjustment for differences in case-mix, three HRQOL domains differed between dialysis centers: the physical composite score (PCS, P = 0.01), quality of social interaction (P = 0.04), and dialysis staff encouragement (P = 0.001). These center differences had a range of 11-21 points on a scale of 0-100, depending on the domain. Two center characteristics showed a clinical relevant relation with patients' HRQOL: dieticians' fulltimeequivalent and the type of dialysis center. Conclusion This study showed that clinical relevant differences exist between dialysis centers in multiple HRQOL domains. This is especially remarkable as hemodialysis is a highly standardized therapy.
KW - Center differences
KW - Dialysis staff encouragement
KW - Hemodialysis
KW - Quality of life
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84863611249&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11136-011-9942-3
DO - 10.1007/s11136-011-9942-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 21633878
SN - 0962-9343
VL - 21
SP - 299
EP - 307
JO - Quality of Life Research
JF - Quality of Life Research
IS - 2
ER -