Coping Strategies and Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Chronic Hemodialysis

OBJECTIVE: Patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis (HD) experience several medical and social problems. Studies regarding some of the important psychological variables like life events, coping strategies and quality of life (QOL) in these hemodialysis patients are lacking in India. Our study was designed to compare the severity of life events, coping strategies and QOL in hemodialysis patients versus matched controls.

MATERIAL and METHODS: 30 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who were on chronic maintenance hemodialysis were recruited in this 6-month cross-sectional study. Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale, AECOM Coping Style Scale and WHO QOL-Bref tests were performed to compare these patients with their matched controls.

RESULTS: Desirable life events, positive coping and QOL were significantly low in HD patients. Suppression (avoiding the problem or situation), blame and help seeking were significantly more common among ESRD patients. Good social support and desirable life events were found to be protective against poor QOL in these patients.

CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that patients who are on chronic maintenance hemodialysis experienced significantly more untoward life events. Preventive strategies against poor QOL in these patients include promotion of good physical and psychological health, augmenting social support and educating them to adapt positive coping habits.