Diabetes patients on dialysis treatment rated particularly
poorly with respect to physical function and the
role limitations associated with physical functioning, a
measurement that embraces problems and restrictions
in daily activities. Our observation is in agreement with
a smaller Danish study in which diabetes patients on
dialysis had lower scores in several of the SF-36 subscales
compared to diabetes patients with normal kidney
function [6]. However, when comparing dialysis patients
with and without diabetes, our findings differed from
the Danish study [6], as well as a recent Polish study
[15]. Not only were physical aspects of HRQOL reduced
in diabetic patients on dialysis, but mental aspects, vitality,
and general health were also reduced, as compared
to the non-diabetic patients on dialysis. Reduced mental
aspects of HRQOL would be expected to reduce selfmanagement
as well as treatment adherence [27], and
this is particularly relevant for diabetes patients on
dialysis.