ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KARACHI.

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a growing public health problem worldwide that greatly affects the social, emotional, and physical well‑being of patients¹,². In Pakistan, restricted information is available on the quality of life of CKD sufferers. Using the SF‑36 survey, this study sought to determine the health‑related quality of life (HRQoL) of CKD patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Among 88 adult CKD‑diagnosed patients, a cross‑sectional survey was carried out. Participants were enlisted from nephrology departments using non‑probability consecutive sampling⁶. Face‑to‑face interviews with a structured questionnaire combining socio‑demographic information, clinical data, and the SF‑36 instrument helped to gather the data. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis, applying descriptive statistics, independent t‑tests, one‑way ANOVA, and correlation analysis.The results showed that CKD patients had a low to medium quality of life, most affected in physical functioning, vitality, pain, and overall health aspects. Significantly lower scores were reported by patients in late CKD stages, those with longer disease duration, and those undergoing hemodialysis. Reduced quality of life was caused in part by socioeconomic issues. This study points to the fact that individuals with chronic kidney disease can have a multitude of symptoms and difficulties which impair their ability to engage socially, psychologically recover from illness, and achieve the ability to function physically.CKD negatively impacts several aspects of patients’ lives, including physical, psychological, and social functioning. To raise quality of life, the study stresses the great demand for patient‑centered therapies, early diagnosis, regular monitoring, psychological support, and advanced nursing care.