Purpose:The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Methods:In this descriptive study, the subjects were 127 hemodialysis patients at four dialysis clinics in Pusan and Daegu metropolitan cities. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN version 26.0.

Results:The average scores for social support, symptom experience, physical function, self-care compliance, and quality of life were 3.97±0.66, 38.50±27.94, 2.24±0.60, 3.43±0.49, and 3.02±0.57, respectively. Fifty-five (43.3%) subjects had a type D personality. Quality of life showed significant differences according to educational background (F=6.44, p<.001), job (t=2.52, p=.013), and type D personality (t=4.39, p<.001). Social support (r=.32, p<.001), physical function (r=.45, p<.001), self-care compliance (r=.24, p=.005), albumin (r=.09, p=.027), and phosphorous (r=.27, p=.002) were positively correlated with quality of life. Symptom experience (r=-.40, p<.001) was negatively correlated with quality of life. The factors affecting quality of life were social support (β=.31, p<.001), physical function (β=.30, p<.001), educational background (β=.20, p=.007), type D personality (β=-.19, p<.001), and symptom experience (β=-.18, p=.019), with a total explanatory power of approximately 43%.

Conclusion:Quality of life in hemodialysis patients was affected by social support, physical function, educational background, type D personality, and symptom experience. These factors should be considered in nursing interventions to improve quality of life of hemodialysis patients.