BACKGROUND:

Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) cor rect some patient symptoms causing changes in the lifestyle. Studies show improved quality of life in PD compared with HD. The scale Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL SF 36) adequately assesses the quality of life.

OBJECTIVE:

To show higher scores on the scale of quality of life of patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD) for more than 4 years compared to patients on hemodialysis (HD).

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

An observational, transversal, descriptive, multicenter study, performed from April 1st to May 31st, 2016. The KDQOL SF 36 scale was used in PD or HD patients in North Central Hospital and Poza Rica Regional Hospital, Mexico. The results were compared with t-Student and χ2.

RESULTS:

Mental effects in the group of PD 39.5% vs 47% in HD, p 0.05; physical effects on DP 34% vs 35% in HD, p 0.758; burden of kidney disease on PD 27% vs 46% in HD, p 0.03; effects of kidney disease in PD 61% vs 55% in HD, p 0.391; symptoms in PD 71% vs 71% in HD, p 0.893.

CONCLUSIONS:

Peritoneal dialysis has better score than hemodialysis on effects of kidney disease; PD with lower score that HD in burden of kidney disease, mental effects area; in physical effects, symptoms area with no statistical difference. No significant difference in long-term dialysis (>4 years) between both groups. Therefore, the physician and patient should find dialysis modality that best fits their needs and lifestyle adjustment.