QUALITY OF LIFE OF WOMEN UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS: COMPARISON WITH MEN UNDERGOING TREATMENT AND WOMEN NOT ON DIALYSIS – A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Hemodialysis (HD), while essential for the survival of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), significantly impacts quality of life (QoL), especially among women. This narrative review aimed to comparatively analyze the QoL of women undergoing HD in relation to men receiving the same treatment and non-dialysis women, using recent clinical trials, cross-sectional, and observational studies. The review followed the PRISMA protocol in five stages, involving searches in databases such as PubMed and SciELO, using the PICO acronym and strict eligibility criteria. A total of 17 articles were selected, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that women on HD had lower QoL levels, particularly in the physical, emotional, and social domains. Factors such as a greater propensity for depression, anxiety, anemia, and the burden of domestic responsibilities were highlighted as aggravating conditions. Studies revealed that although men and women face similar challenges, women experience a deeper psychological impact in response to the stressors of treatment.