Disability in instrumental activities of daily living in hemodialysis patients: Influence on quality of life related to health.

INTRODUCTION

Instrumental Activities of Daily Life (IADL) requires a higher level of personal autonomy and interaction with the environment than the basic activities of daily life (BADL). Few studies analyze the deficit on IADL. Early detection is important because an early action can delay the evolution of the dependency process.

AIM

to know the prevalence of functional deficit in IADL of hemodialysis patients, its relationship with the functional deficit in the BADL and its influence on the health related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in 66 patients on HD. Different scales were used: Lawton and Brody (AIVD dependency), Delta (BADL dependency), and COOP-WONCA (HRQOL). Clinical data were collected (age, sex, CKD etiology, months in HD, marital status, employment situation).

RESULTS

80.3% of the patients had some degree of dependence for the IADL (57.5% in moderate/severe degree) and 40.8% for the BADL (9% in moderate/severe degree). There was a correlation between dependence to the BADL and AIVD. Age and employment status influence the dependence on IADL and BADL. Patients with greater dependence on IADL had worse HRQoL (P<.000). The dimensions in which they showed greater differences were "Daily activities", "Social activities" and "Social support".

CONCLUSIONS

HD patients are more dependent on IADL than on ADL and with a higher degree of severity and the level of dependence in both types of activities has important influence on HRQoL. Early detection of the occurrence of disability in the realization of IADL can be used to initiate intervention programs that help to prevent, reverse or delay the progression.