The relationship between frailty levels and quality of life in patients over 65 years of age receiving regular hemodialysis treatment

ABSTRACT Background This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between frailty levels and quality of life in patients over 65 years of age receiving regular haemodialysis treatment. Materials and Methods The study was designed as a descriptive and correlational study. Data were collected from patients in a university hospital and two private dialysis centres in Konya between August and September 2023. The study sample consisted of 171 patients. The data collection tools included the Descriptive Characteristics Information Form, the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), and the EQ‐5D‐5L Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software program. Frequency and percentage calculations were obtained for the measurements in the personal information form. Since the data in the personal information form and EFS did not show normal distribution, non‐parametric tests, specifically the Mann–Whitney U ‐test and the Kruskal‐Wallis H‐test, were used. Results The results obtained in the present study showed a significant, moderate, negative correlation between the quality of life and frailty levels of patients over 65 years of age receiving dialysis treatment. Conclusion This study demonstrated that as quality of life increased, frailty levels decreased. Improvements in patients' quality of life could potentially lead to a reduction in frailty levels.