Influence of dialysis modality and membrane flux on quality of life in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Background: The quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis is significantly disturbed. There are data that hemodiafiltration (HDF) may be more effective than conventional hemodialysis in the removal of uremic toxins and may reduce frequency and severity of intradialytic and postdialysis adverse symptoms in patients. Also, some researchers suggest advantages of using high-flux membranes compared with low-flux. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether hemodialysis modality and membrane flux, independent of membrane biocompatibility, make differences in quality of life in patients. Methods: In our cross-sectional study, we evaluated 124 patients who were divided, based on therapy, into three groups: online HDF, high-flux hemodialysis, and low-flux hemodialysis. Data were collected using the Short Form-36 questionnaire combined with special questionnaire, which included demographic and clinically related questions. Results: Health-related quality of life was better in patients on HDF compared with patients on hemodialysis, especially compared with low-flux hemodialysis patients in most of the scales and in both dimensions: physical component scale and mental component scale. There were no statistically significant differences in Short Form-36 domains between high-flux hemodialysis and low-flux hemodialysis. Conclusion: Our data suggest the potential advantages of HDF with regard to influence on quality of life, which is sufficient to justify further research in prospective and longitudinal study design. © 2012 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.