A Systematic Review on the Quality of Life among Hemodialysis Patients in the Middle East Countries

Ever since the introduction of hemodialysis as a therapy for managing patients with end-stage renal disease, there has been considerable debate in terms of quality of life. It is both life-saving and life-altering. The degree of lifestyle change needed following prescribed diet/fluid limits and medications and managing symptom burdens depends considerably on the modality chosen, and affects patients daily health-related quality of life. Health-related quality of life is the impact of a chronic disease and its treatment on patients perceptions of their own physical and mental function. Among people on haemodialysis, QoL scores are both a critical outcome and a predictor of hospitalization and death. Health-related quality of life has been assessed using different measures and instruments. This systematic review looks at outcomes in terms of quality of life from studies and registry data reported in the literature. There is a need to do more research to compare QOL tools. QOL tools developed in other countries should be tested for cultural relevancy. Also, there is a need for a new QOL tool that is consistent with the culture and the religion of Muslim respondents and at the same time culturally relevant. More researches need to be done to culturally adapt QOL tools to make them relevant to other cultures, religions, and countries.