World Applied Sciences Journal 23 (1): 29-36, 2013 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.23.01.7437 Corresponding Author: Amal Mohamed Mohamed El-Shahed, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Tel: +01125954038. 29 Hemoglobin Level, Associated Co-Morbidities and Quality of Life among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis at One of the University Hospitals in Cairo Governorate Amal M. El-Shahed, Shadia A. Sharf, Hanan A. El Sebaee and Mona M. Roshdy 1 1 1 2 Medical- Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt 1 Internal Medicine and Nephrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt 2 Submitted: Apr 10, 2013; Accepted: May 22, 2013; Published: Jun 20, 2013 Abstract: Quality of life (QoL) is important as an outcome measurement, especially for long-term diseases. Patients with end stage renal disease have several co-morbidities which may have significant adverse effects. Moreover, the patients are prone to non-compliance and all these significantly affect their QoL. This study was conducted to assess the QoL exhibited by patients undergoing hemodialysis and its relationship with their hemoglobin level and associated co-morbidities in the renal insufficiency unit and nephrology and dialysis center at one of the university hospitals in Cairo governorate. A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. A total of 100 adult male and female patients undergoing hemodialysis were studied. QoL of patients undergoing hemodialysis was significantly impaired; there was a significant correlation between hemoglobin level and KDCS scores. Diabetic patients had a statistical significant difference with PCS, & MCS scores. On the other hand, cardiac patients had a statistical significant difference in relation to PCS, KDCS, & QoL total scores. Patients with arthritis had only a statistical significant difference in PCS scores. Hypertension had no impact to any dimension of QoL. It was observed that there were significant differences between hemoglobin level and co-morbid conditions in relation to one or more dimensions of QoL except hypertension. Key words: End Stage Renal Disease Renal Dialysis Co-Morbidities Hemoglobin Level QoL INTRODUCTION undergoing hemodialysis (89% of all dialysis patients) [5]. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring dialysis is estimated annual incidence of ESRD is around 74 per one of the chronic diseases that impact quality of life million and the total prevalence of patients on dialysis is (QoL). Patients with CKD are in need for changing diet 264 per million, also there are 90,000 patient die each year and habits, following a strict therapeutic regimen, coping because of kidney failure [6]. with an incurable disease, depending on a machine, in QoL is important as an outcome measurement, addition to having negative effect on energy and vitality especially for long-term diseases such as chronic renal levels, sometimes reducing or limiting the social failure (CRF) [7]. Although advances in dialysis treatment interactions, affecting psychological health [1] and have contributed to improved survival of patients with interferes profoundly in patients’ well-being [2-4]. ESRD, QoL is much lower for those patients than for the Kidney disease was the ninth leading cause of death general population [8]. There are mainly three types of in the United States. The number of patients being treated variables which might affect the QoL of dialysis patients: for end stage renal disease (ESRD) globally was estimated socio-demographic variables (age, gender, socioeconomic to be 2,786,000 with a 6 -7% growth rate continues to status and educational level), clinical variables increase at a significantly higher rate than the world (hemoglobin, co-morbid conditions and dialysis duration) population. Hemodialysis remained the most common and psychological variable (patients' representation of treatment modality, with approximately 1,929,000 patients illness) [9]. In Egypt; ESRD is growing by 100% annually; the