Aim: To study differences between two groups, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic heart failure (CHF), regarding sense of coherence (SOC), General Self-efficacy (GSE), and quality of life (QoL) as well as relationships between these variables. 

Design: Descriptive, comparative and correlative design.  

Sample: A Swedish sample of 100 patients (59 CHF and 41 ESRD) was included. The mean age was 68 years (46 – 80 years).  

Measures: Data were collected with the SOC, the GSE and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ). Age, sex, educational level and living area were also examined.    

Data analysis: Differences were tested with chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-test and correlations with Pearson’s correlation coefficient. 

Results: Both SOC (r=0.58, P<0.01) and GSE (r=0.46, P=<0.01) were positively correlated with LSQ. No significant differences between the two groups were found for the study variables. Older persons (>65 years) rated their personal relationships within QoL higher (P=0.045) and older ESRD patients their SOC stronger (P=0.049). Men with CHF rated their self-efficacy higher (P=0.034).

Conclusions: Our preliminary results indicate that it seems more important how the individual tackle their present situation than what chronic illness they have.