The health-related quality of life (QOL) and nutritional status in patients with chronic renal failure was assessed by using the SF-36 questionnaire. Thirty-two chronic renal failure patients and 41 healthy subjects (group C) were enrolled. The chronic renal failure patients were classified into three groups: group I demonstrated a creatinine clearance level over 50ml/min, group II showed a range of 20-50ml/min, and group III showed a level below 20ml/min. The mean subject ages were 51.8±17.2, 56.3±13.0, 53.9±17.2 and 50.1±3.3 years in groups I, II, III and C.
The QOL score for group III was lower than that for group C. However, the general health (GH) perception score in all chronic renal failure groups was significantly lower than that of group C. The mean energy intake was 33.4±3.6kcal/kg in group I, 29.7±6.4kcal/kg in group II and 30.6±10.3kcal/kg in group III, while the protein intake was 0.9±0.3kcal/kg in group I, 0.9±0.3g/kg in group II and 0.7±0.1g/kg in group III. The energy and protein intakes satisfied the guidelines for the three numbered groups. The protein intake by group III was significantly lower than that by group II or III (p<0.05). Although the nutritional status was considered good according to the serum albumin value, the hematocrit value for group III was significantly lower than that in group I or II (p<0.05).
Renal anemia was the factor that reduced the QOL score in the chronic renal failure patients. This evaluation should help medical staff to facilitate the management of these patient symptoms.
