Abstract:

BACKGROUND: With the development of modern technology in hemodialysis, the long-term survival rate of uremia patients has improved significantly, but the quality of life and social rehabilitation have not received much attention.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate social rehabilitation and the quality of life in hemodialysis patients.
METHODS: A total of 163 patients with maintenance hemodialysis for more than 3 months, including 90 males and 73 females, were surveyed about the status of social rehabilitation and their clinical data in the form of questionnaire. The quality of life of all patients was measured with the Short-Form 36 questionnaire. Then the scores of quality of life were compared between four groups classified by the social rehabilitation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The percentages of patients in the first, second, third and fourth degrees of social rehabilitation were 9.2%, 26.4%, 53.4%, and 11.0% respectively. With increasing levels of social rehabilitation, the patient’s overall health status scores increased progressively. There were significant differences between four groups (P < 0.01). In particular, the quality of life of the patients in the third degree of social rehabilitation was significantly affected by emotional and social factors. The social rehabilitation in hemodialysis patients was in poor condition. Strengthening psychological care and striving for social support are expected to enable most patients to improve quality of life and degree of social rehabilitation.