Treatment Burden and impact of dialysis on quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients: A cross-sectional study

Varghese, Nileena Anna and George, Lincy (2025) Treatment Burden and impact of dialysis on quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients: A cross-sectional study. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 32 (1). pp. 233-245. ISSN 2581-3250

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) leads to significant physical, emotional, and financial burden, especially for patients undergoing dialysis. In India, a substantial population experiences limited healthcare access, further amplifying treatment burden and reducing quality of life (QOL). Objective: To evaluate treatment burden and assess the impact of dialysis on QOL among CKD patients using standardized tools. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 CKD patients receiving dialysis in a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using the Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ), Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), and Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF™) tools. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Results: Among 140 patients, 61.5% experienced a moderate treatment burden. Financial and administrative aspects were the most burdensome domains. HRQOL was predominantly affected by the underlying kidney disease. Framingham scores increased significantly with declining renal function. Traditional risk factors included male gender, middle age, and genetic kidney disease, while drug-induced nephropathy, hypertension, and elevated creatinine/BUN levels were noted as non-traditional risk factors. Conclusion: Dialysis patients experience considerable treatment-related burden, which significantly impacts quality of life and is influenced by both traditional and non-traditional risk factors. Addressing these burdens through targeted interventions and patient–provider collaboration is crucial for improving long-term outcomes in CKD management.