Influence of Demographic factors on perceived stress and quality of life in persons with chronic kidney disease: A study from South India

Kurian Jose; Shilpa Saji; Arun Thomas

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2019

Influence of Demographic factors on perceived stress and quality of life in persons with chronic kidney disease: A study from South India

Kurian Jose, Shilpa Saji, Arun Thomas

Abstract :

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition with progressive renal failure requiring medical management. Life in CKD is stressful as prognosis of the disease is unpredictable and patients often face social isolation. Uncertainty of life, the regular treatment and dialysis to maintain the life are major challenges encountered by every chronic patient. Objective: The study was conducted among chronic kidney patients under dialysis to assess the socio–demographic profile and to find the association between quality of life and perceived stress of CKD patients. Methods: Sample sizes of 80 patients under dialysis in different dialysis centers at Wayanad district of Kerala were assessed of their socio–demographic information. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (BREF) were other tools used in the current study. Results: Significant number of patients undergoing dialysis in the current study were male, belonging to lower class family and were unemployed. As the age increased, the stress also increased and no significant association was clearly found between the stress and quality of life. Conclusion: Life in chronic disease conditions is stressful and marked reduction in the quality of life is often significant along with the poor socio–economic conditions.