Comparative study to assess health-related quality of life among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis having arteriovenous fistula and venovenous vascular access

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex debilitating condition affecting more than 70 million people worldwide. It can significantly lessen patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). A good functional vascular access is vital in order to deliver adequate hemodialysis in these patients and they all have to be able to provide enough blood flow to deliver adequate hemodialysis. Despite the advances that have taken place in the field of hemodialysis many patients suffers from complications and at last death.

Main aim of the study is to compare HRQOL among CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having AVF and VVA.

The study was conducted by purposively selecting 60 CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having AVF and VVA from Shivam hospital and Modern hospital Hoshiarpur, Punjab after taking permission from concerned SMO's of these hospitals. To assess for Kidney Disease and Quality of Life (KDQOLTM-36) a multi-item scale was used. Analysis and interpretation of data was done in accordance with the objectives of study by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The findings showed that majority (76.66%) of CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having AVF had medium level of HRQOL whereas 23.33% of patients have low level of HRQOL. On the other hand, (70%) of CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having VVA had medium level HRQOL and 30% of patients have low level of HRQOL. None of the subjects had high level of HRQOL. Though mean score of chronic kidney disease was lower among CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having VVA but difference in HRQOL among CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having AVF and VVA was not statistically significant at p<0.05.i.e. there is no significant difference in HRQOL of CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having AVF and VVA.

The study revealed that majority of the CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having AVF and VVA had medium level of HRQOL. There is no significant difference in HRQOL of CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis having AVF and VVA.