Quality of life in children on dialysis.

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, the survival of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased but few studies have assessed the quality of life in children on dialysis. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to analyze the quality of life in this pediatric population and compare it with healthy controls using the Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Vie Enfant Image.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-three children on dialysis paired for gender, age, and social level with 33 healthy children.

RESULTS

A significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the question on the practicing of sports. For this question, 29/33 healthy children reported to be very satisfied, while only 17/33 out of the ESRD group stated likewise. When asked about satisfaction of the children at the table with the family, 23/33 of the controls and 16/33 of the ESRD group reported to be very satisfied, showing a trend toward a significant difference (P = 0.059). No differences were observed for the remaining questions. We conclude that ESRD was linked to lower perception of quality of life in leisure aspects (sports) and a trend regarding functional issues (meal at the table).