Relationship between Quality of Life and Social Support in Hemodialysis Patients in Imam Khomeini and Sina Educational Hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Science.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The main treatment of chronic Renal Failure is kidney transplantation. But unfortunately, patients should be treated by dialysis, until being transplanted. In spite of therapeutics effects of hemodialysis, these patients are faced with various physical and psychological stressful factors which leads to decreasing quality of life. There have been done a few research on social support of hemodialysis patients in the world, and their quality of life and social support in Iran, so in this research beside of determining quality of life and social support of hemodialysis patients, we are going to measure their relationship with each other. Method: For this purpose all hemodialysis patients who had iterance criteria were hospitalized in hemodialysis ward of Tabriz Medical University hospitals; were selected and data were collected by interviewing and completing questionnaire including three parts of demographic, quality of life, and social support. Results: The results indicate that quality of life in 56.1%, and social support in 50.6% of hemodialysis patients were desirable, and there is a direct and significant relationship between these two variables (p>0.001. r=0.4). In quality of life subsector, social dimension in 88% of patients was desirable, while physical dimension 57.3% and psychological dimension 53% in most of the patients were undesirable. Multiple regression analysis showed that emotional support was the most effective dimension of social support on quality of life (R2 =0.14), while the effects of instrumental support, and informational support on quality of life weren't statistically meaningful. Also psychological dimension was the most effectible dimension of quality of life social support (R2=0.15). From demographic characters, variables includes: age, sex, marry, job, and educational level have meaningful relationship with quality of life. Conclusion: Nearly half of mentioned patients were not have desirable quality of life and social support, and half of mentioned to positive relationship between these two items especially important effects of supports in emotional dimension. It is suggested that programmers and managers in addition of increasing instrumental and informational support should take care of emotional support in such groups for improving quality of life in hemodialysis patients.