Quality of Life among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

End-stage renal disease (ESRD), the most advanced form of chronic kidney disease, severely impacts patients' quality of life (QoL), especially in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. This study aimed to assess the QoL of ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at Chitwan Medical College. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from October 2024 to January 2025 among 107 ESRD patients on hemodialysis for at least six months. QoL was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF tool across four domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. The overall mean QoL score was 48.36 ± 7.44. The environmental domain scored highest (53.85 ± 11.10), followed by social (51.65 ± 11.85), physical (46.06 ± 7.46), and psychological (41.59 ± 8.19). ESRD patients undergoing dialysis in Nepal experience moderate to poor QoL, particularly in psychological and physical domains. Targeted, age-sensitive interventions are essential to enhance their well-being.