Abstract: Objective To compare quality of life and medical expenses of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients in rural area in order to provide a rational selection of blood purification modalities for patients in rural areas and a basis for the required payment for the single disease by the health adminidtration department. MethodsWe recruited 33 patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and 18 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) treated in the Department of Nephrology, Yutian County Hospital during the period between Aug. 2014 to Nov. 2014. The Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) was used to evaluate their
quality of life. Their direct medical expenses and indirect medical-related expenses in a period of 12 weeks were rcorded. Results (a) There were no significant differences in physiological and psychological scores between MHD and PD patients, but the energy score was higher in PD patients than in MHD patients (t=-2.507, P=0.013). (b) The expenses were significantly higher in MHD patients than in PD patients (t=75.999, P＜0.001), including the expenses of dialysis itself (t=3.352, P＜0.001), drugs (t=32.106, P＜0.001), traffic (t=29.756, P＜0.001) and food (t=14.623, P＜0.001). Conclusions There was no significant difference in quality of life between PD and MHD patients in rural areas. However, the total expenses were significantly lower in PD patients than in MHD patients.

Key words: Peritoneal dialysis, Hemodialysis, Medical expense, Quality of life