QUALITY OF LIFE DIFFERENCES IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS WITH AV FISTULA VS. PERIPHERAL ACCESS: A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Author Name: Dr. Swapnil Rahane, Ms. Janaki Rathva, Dr. Ravindra H N, Ms. Krishna Patel, Ms. Isha Parmar, Ms. Riya Rathwa, Ms. Kinjal Rathva

Volume: 04/01

Country: India

DOI NO.: 11.2023-61555522 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/04.2026-21313969/GIJNR

Affiliation:

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Parul Institute of Nursing, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Parul Institute of Nursing, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
3. Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Parul Institute of Nursing, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
4. ⁴Undergraduate Student, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis frequently experience compromised quality of life (QOL) due to the physical, psychological, and social burdens of long-term treatment. One critical factor influencing both clinical outcomes and patient well-being is the type of vascular access used for hemodialysis. Among the available options, arteriovenous (AV) fistula and peripheral access differ in terms of complication rates, durability, and patient comfort. Understanding the impact of vascular access type on various domains of QOL is essential to improve overall patient management and guide evidence-based clinical decisions. Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 adult patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at a tertiary care hospital—100 with AV fistula access and 60 with peripheral access—selected through purposive sampling. Eligible participants were ≥18 years old, on dialysis for ≥6 months, and free from severe comorbidities. Data were collected using a structured tool comprising socio-demographic and clinical profiles, along with the SF-36 Quality of Life questionnaire. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with descriptive statistics and independent t-tests to compare QOL scores between groups, considering p < 0.05 as significant.

Key words: Chronic kidney disease, Hemodialysis, Quality of life, Vascular access, Arteriovenous fistula, Peripheral access, SF-36