AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of complications, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the influence of beliefs about control over health in diabetic dialysis patients. METHODS: Of 53 eligible diabetic patients on chronic dialysis during January 2004 in our clinic, 38 (76%) completed a kidney-specific (Kidney Disease Quality of Life) and a generic (SF-36) questionnaire and were characterised in terms of cardiovascular diseases and diabetic complications. Matched groups of non-diabetic dialysis patients (n = 40) and diabetic patients with a long duration of diabetes and normal kidney function (n = 38) served as controls. Generic HRQOL was compared with matched data from a survey on the Danish general population (n = 2248). RESULTS: Micro- and macrovascular complications were significantly more frequent in diabetic dialysis patients than in diabetic patients without renal disease. Self-rated physical health was significantly worse (p < 0.01) in diabetic dialysis patients (35 +/- 9 [mean +/- SD]) compared with non-diabetic dialysis patients (41 +/- 10), diabetic patients with normal kidney function (45 +/- 12) and the matched general population (47 +/- 19). The diabetic dialysis patients had similar levels of kidney-specific quality of life and mental health compared with the control groups. Reduced physical health was predicted by the presence of end-stage renal disease, diabetes and short time spent in education. Among the diabetic patients, those who believed more on their own ability to control their diabetes and less on chance reported better mental health and were less likely to be on dialysis. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS: Diabetic dialysis patients are characterised by a high prevalence of diabetic complications, reduced self-rated physical health but relatively good mental health.