Assessing health related quality of life of patients on maintenance hemodialysis in north-western Morocco

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Objectives</bold> Assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the aid of EQ-5D-5L dimensions, EQ visual analog scale (VAS) scores in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment in five dialysis centers. <bold>Methods</bold> Multicenter cross sectional observational study was conducted in four different dialysis centers in two Moroccan cities in the north-west region. Validated questionnaires were utilized to collect data on HRQoL using EQ-5D-5L. Binary logistic regression test analysis was conducted to identify the variables which are independently associated with HRQoL among ESRD patients. A 95% confidence interval (p≤0.05) was used to indicate the statistical significance of our results. <bold>Results</bold> The study included a sample of 122 patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. The median age of study participants was 65.0 (IQR [54.75; 69.0]) years. The mean utility score of EQ-5D-5L was 0.70 (± 0.27) The median EQ-5D-5L utility score and EQ-VAS score was 0.81(IQR [0.52; 0.91]), 70.0 (IQR [60; 79.25]) respectively. Participants reported extreme problems mostly in the mobility domain (9%). In the binary logistic regression analysis, the dimensions of self care and usual activities were positively influenced by the public dialysis sector, one variable which was an increased number of comorbidities negatively impacted the dimension of pain/discomfort, it was found that both the dimensions of mobility and anxiety/depression were not impacted by any variable. <bold>Conclusion</bold> The study emphasizes how patients under dialysis have a relatively good HRQoL. We found a few predictor variables impact HRQol and its dimensions which were the dialysis sector and an elevated number of comorbidities.