TITLE:
Assessment of Quality of Life among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis in Burundi
AUTHORS:
Joseph Nyandwi, Roméo Irankunda, Bède Bigirimana, Ariane Bélyse Ndayimirije, Roche Béni Kobako
KEYWORDS:
Chronic Kidney Disease, Hemodialysis, Quality of Life, KDQOL-SF™, Burundi
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nephrology,
Vol.16 No.2,
April
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is a major public health problem. In Burundi, hemodialysis represents the main modality of renal replacement therapy. However, its impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL) remains poorly documented. This study aimed to assess the QoL of chronic hemodialysis patients and to identify factors associated with its impairment. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to January 2023 in five hemodialysis centers in Burundi. Patients aged ≥ 18 years, on hemodialysis for at least three months and clinically stable, were included. Quality of life was assessed using the KDQOL-SF™ questionnaire. Data were collected via interviewer- or self-administered surveys in Kirundi. Bivariate, and multivariate linear regressions identified factors associated with quality of life. Results: Sixty-six patients were included, 80.3% of whom were male. The mean age was 49.27 ± 12.13 years. The mean score for the physical component summary was 45.29 ± 21.41, and for the mental component summary 48.99 ± 23.10. The overall mean score of the KDQOL-SF™ was 54.36 ± 15.62. Vitality (16.28 ± 32.07) and physical functioning (38.25 ± 33.01) were the most affected dimensions. In bivariate analysis, age and dialysis duration were negatively associated with quality of life, while socio-economic factors and hemoglobin were positively associated. Multivariate analysis confirmed these findings, identifying age, education, occupation, living conditions, insurance, dialysis duration, and hemoglobin as independent predictors (adjusted R2 = 0.48). Conclusion: The QoL of hemodialysis patients in Burundi is markedly impaired, particularly in its physical dimensions. Socio-economic and clinical factors significantly influence QoL, with modifiable determinants such as anemia management and access to healthcare playing a key role. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary interventions, including improved social support, optimization of clinical care, and strengthening of health coverage systems, to enhance the overall well-being of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.