ABSTRACT Introduction: It is relevant to measure quality of life because of the close link between this entity, mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis; therefore, it is necessary to know how patients are perceiving their health condition during renal replacement therapy. Objective: To understand the meaning of quality of life for an older person on haemodialysis and their primary caregiver. Method: Descriptive qualitative study with a phenome- nological approach, which was carried out by means of an in-depth interview with an elderly person undergoing haemodialysis treatment and the main career. Subsequently, a verbatim transcription of each of the previously recorded interviews was made. Results: The results were classified according to the following dimensions of quality of life: social, activities of daily living, health, health systems, material well-being; and an emerging category entitled pandemic was included according to the current epidemiological situation. The term quality of life for the research participants was described as “living healthy, disease-free lives”. Conclusion: Proper implementation of treatments and trained haemodialysis nurses would provide education, interventions, support and appropriate accompaniment, which is essential to address and promote biopsychosocial and spiritual well-being.

RESUMEN Introducción: La importancia de medir la calidad de vida radica en el estrecho vínculo que existe entre la misma, la mortalidad y la morbilidad en los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en diálisis; por lo que es de suma importancia saber cómo están percibiendo su condición de salud durante el tratamiento de sustitución renal. Objetivo: Comprender el significado de calidad de vida para una persona mayor sometida a hemodiálisis y su cuidadora principal. Material y Método: Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo con enfoque fenomenológico, que se llevó a cabo por medio de la realización de entrevistas en profundidad dirigidas a una persona mayor sometida a tratamiento de hemodiálisis y a su cuidadora principal. Posteriormente, se efectuó transcripción textual de cada una de las entrevistas previamente grabadas. Resultados: Los resultados se clasificaron según dimensiones de calidad de vida, los cuales fueron: social, actividades de la vida diaria, salud, sistemas de salud, bienestar material y se agregó una categoría emergente llamada pandemia de acuerdo a la situación epidemiológica actual. El término calidad de vida para las participantes de la investigación, fue descrito como “vivir saludable, sin presencia de enfermedades”. Conclusión: La aplicación correcta de los tratamientos y contar con un personal de enfermería formado en hemodiálisis permitiría proporcionar educación, intervenciones, apoyo y un acompañamiento apropiado, lo que es fundamental, para abordar y favorecer el bienestar biopsicosocial y espiritual.

ABSTRACT Objective This study compared the effectiveness of Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation (PIPS), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) with EndoUltra and standard needle irrigation (SNI) in the removal of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] from the mesial roots of Weine Type II mandibular molars. Material and Methods Thirty mandibular molars were screened by µCT for the presence of mesial roots with complex intra-canal anatomy and a common apical foramen. The teeth were enlarged to a standardized 25/.06 preparation and filled with Ca(OH)2 paste. Specimens were divided into three groups (n=10) according to the technique used for Ca(OH)2 removal: PIPS, at 15 Hz and 20 mJ using a 9 mm long, 600 µm diameter tip; PUI using a 15/.02 tip; and SNI (30 Ga. side-vented needle). Equal volumes of 8.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA were used in all groups. µCT was used to measure the initial amount of Ca(OH)2 present and to assess the residual volume of Ca(OH)2 following each irrigation protocol. Data were analyzed using Tukey HSD and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α=5%). Results The mean volume of Ca(OH)2 before removal was significantly higher in the coronal third than in the middle and apical third (p<0.001). Ca(OH)2 was similarly removed from the coronal and middle thirds with the three methods used (p>0.05). PIPS (median 0%; IQR: 0-0) showed significant higher Ca(OH)2 removal in the apical third than PUI (median 100%, IQR: 85-100) and SNI (median 47%; IQR: 16-72) (p<0.001). Conclusions PIPS laser-activation was more effective for the removal of Ca(OH)2 from mesial roots of mandibular molars with Weine Type II canal configurations than PUI with EndoUltra and SNI.