['Quality of life (QoL) in end-stage renal disease patients has become an important focus of attention in evaluating dialysis. We studied risk factors of poor QoL at 1 year follow-up.', 'Of a baseline sample of 80 dialysis patients, we contacted 60 patients who were alive at 1 year follow-up. QoL data were obtained for 46 (76.7%) of these patients. QoL measured with the SF-36 [physical health component score (PCS) and mental health component score (MCS)] at 1 year-follow-up was predicted by means of multivariate regression analysis by data collected at baseline using INTERMED-an observer-rated method to assess biopsychosocial care needs-and several indicators for disease severity and comorbidity.', 'The regression models explained 32% of the variance in PCS and 40% in MCS. INTERMED score (P < 0.01) was the only independent risk factor for low MCS, while for low PCS, diabetic comorbidity (P = 0.02) and age (P = 0.03) were independent risk factors. A simple risk score consisting of INTERMED > or =21, diabetic comorbidity and age > or =65 was significantly correlated with non-survival (P = 0.02) and with PCS (P < 0.01) and MCS (P < 0.01) in surviving patients, although not with hospital admissions during follow-up.'] Does a simple risk score predict poor quality of life and non-survival at 1 year follow-up in dialysis patients?