Objective

To compare indicators of quality of life reported by elderly whites and elderly blacks on chronic dialysis.

Design

Survey of surviving patients from a previously identified prevalent cohort.

Setting

58 dialysis facilities located throughout the state of Georgia.

Subjects

46 whites (mean age = 72) and 85 blacks (mean age = 70) on chronic dialysis > or = 3.5 years.

Main outcome measures

Number of days in bed during past 3 months; number of nights hospitalized during past 6 months; score summarizing limitations in functional status; 10 dialysis symptoms/complaints; 9 indicators of subjective well-being.

Results

Elderly whites, more than elderly blacks, complained of nausea, fatigue, and longer time to recover following a hemodialysis treatment. Whites also were more likely than blacks to perceive kidney failure/dialysis as intrusive for their health and for their diet, to report health dissatisfaction, and to report life dissatisfaction.

Conclusion

Although blacks were more likely than whites to have diabetes as a primary diagnosis and blacks' educational level was lower than that of whites, all the statistically significant quality of life differences identified in this elderly cohort showed better quality of life among black patients than among white patients.