A Study of Quality of Life and Coping Style among Haemodialysis Patients

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a significant indicator of how chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects patient’s life. Coping indicates the method used by the patients to encounter a situation and reach the goal. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life and coping technique among haemodialysis patients. Methodology: The quality of life and coping skills were assessed among the chronic kidney disease patients who were on haemodialysis (HD) from 2 months to 8 years by using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) and Brief Cope Inventory. The total 90 participants were randomly selected depending on the years of HD they were undergoing. The sample was divided in the three groups who are on dialysis from 2months to 1year –group 1, 1year to 4 year-group 2 and 4years to 8 years-group 3. Results: The results show the scores on all the dimension of QOL deteriorated significantly across the group with the lowest score in group 3.  Active coping (P = 0.005) and denial (P = 0.001) were the significant coping style. Significant correlation was seen between Quality of Life and coping on several dimensions.  Conclusion: The newly diagnosed patients had better coping with the illness compared to the other two groups. There is a progressive decline in the coping across the three groups. Acceptance as well as denial are the coping skill in most of patients. Strategies to improve the patients function with psychological intervention need to be considered.