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NDT Advance Access originally published online on June 27, 2007
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2007 22(10):2985-2990; doi:10.1093/ndt/gfm341
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© The Author [2007]. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org


Religious beliefs and quality of life in an American inner-city haemodialysis population

Benjamin Ko, Amandeep Khurana, Judy Spencer, Barb Scott, Marsha Hahn and Mary Hammes

Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL United States

Correspondence and offprint requests to: Mary Hammes, University of Chicago 5841 S. Maryland Ave. MC 5100. Email: mhammes{at}medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu



  Abstract

Background. The ability to adapt to the long-term aspects of chronic haemodialysis is multifactorial and poorly understood. Given the many comorbidities of a patient on haemodialysis, religious beliefs may be an important factor in the patient's ability to cope.

Methods. End-stage renal disease patients in an inner-city American in-center haemodialysis unit were given two surveys to quantify their quality of life (KDQOL) and beliefs (Royal Free Score). The population studied included 97% African Americans. The demographics were collected and recorded. The relationship between religious/spiritual beliefs, demographic variables, and how quality of life (QOL) is viewed was analysed.

Results. The vast majority of patients considered themselves religious, spiritual or both. KDQOL scores did not correlate with belief in a higher power, but the non-religious group demonstrated a significantly lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine as compared with the religious group. There was a negative correlation with age and physical function as reported by KDQOL and physical health composite.

Conclusion. As physical function declines, religious and spiritual beliefs are stronger in the haemodialysis population studied. Given the overwhelming prevalence of religious and spiritual beliefs in this population, further study is needed as acknowledging and incorporating these beliefs into patient treatment plans may be warranted.

Keywords: haemodialysis (HD); quality of life; religion; spiritual

Received for publication: 28. 8.06
Accepted in revised form: 3. 5.07


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