Association between self-care and quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract

Our study assessed the capacity for self-care and the association with quality of life of people living with Chronic Kidney Disease. We performed a cross-sectional and correlational study. One hundred individuals in hemodialytic treatment in a substitutive kidney therapy unit in the inner state of São Paulo composed the sample. We collected data through personal interview, using a questionnaire for sociodemographic characteristics, the Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale – Revised (ASAS-R) and, the Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short – Form (KDQOL-SF). The mean ASAS-R score was 60.64 (±8.24) indicating good self-care capacity. We found a positive moderate and statistically significant relationship between the capacity for self-care and the KDQOL-SF domains: symptoms/problems, cognitive function, physical function, emotional wellbeing and energy/fatigue. We concluded that self-care is related to the quality of life in hemodialytic patients with chronic kidney disease.