Why does quality of life remain an under-investigated issue in chronic kidney disease and why is it rarely set as an outcome measure in trials in this population?

Connect-ROD - development and qualitative evaluation of a community-based group intervention to support well-being in patients with a rare or orphan disease

BACKGROUND

Patients living with various rare or orphan diseases (ROD) experience common psychosocial difficulties. Those need emerge from a combination of factors, such as the large variety of patients and the rarity of resources, as well as concentrated efforts on physical health needs that yielded increases in life expectancy and quality in patients. A gap is therefore rising in the consideration of psychosocial needs of patients, such as coping with the impacts of physical limitations, reducing social isolation and distress. To contribute to address this gap, we developed, pilot-tested and evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, implementation, and short-term effects of Connect-ROD, an online group intervention to support adult patients with a ROD (AP-ROD), which aims to improve coping mechanisms, reinforce sense of control, and support personal goals of AP-ROD. A qualitative study comprising of in-depth pretests, post-test interviews and standardized questionnaires, was conducted with 14 participants in two consecutive intervention groups.

RESULTS

The Connect-ROD intervention is strongly anchored in acceptance and commitment therapy as well as community psychology approaches. A pilot test allowed us to improve on the initial structure and to produce a manualized 10-week program delivered online, made up of 2-h sessions comprising formal activities, exchanges and homework. The evaluation showed satisfactory acceptability and accessibility, compliant delivery by facilitators, and promising short-term effects on personal objectives, sense of control, coping mechanisms, symptom management, acceptance of the emotions associated with the disease, distress, self-efficacy, social support and connectedness. The program did not show short-term effects on overall quality of life.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended that Connect-ROD is evaluated on a larger scale. It seems promising to support various AP-ROD who live with the complex psychosocial consequences of their disease.

Longitudinal Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Three Different Hyperphosphatemia Management Groups of Stage III and IV Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Introduction

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has emerged as an important outcome measure inpatients with CKD. The lack of prospective studies on HRQoL and its relation with hyperphosphatemia control measures among pre-dialysis patients necessitated the need for this study.

Methods

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-labelled studythat was conducted for one year on 120 CKD stages III and IV patients divided equally into three groups: Group 1, in which patients under went dietary phosphorus modification; Group 2, in which they were administered calcium-based phosphate binders; and Group 3, in which they were administered non-calcium-based phosphate binders. Patients were assessed for HRQoL, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF 23), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), phosphorus, and nutritional status, and dietary phosphorus control strategies at 0, 6, and 12 months. HRQoL was measured by using the 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) that included a physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS). The scores is ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better health status. Usingthe two-wayand one-way repeated measure ANOVA, we analyzed equality of group means, time intervals, and interactions.

Results

At baseline, the mean PCS and MCS were equal in three groups. PCS improved significantly (P < 0.00) from baseline to one year in all the three groups: ingroup 1, the PCS score was 66.5 ± 13.5to 75.1 ± 9.76; in group 2, it was 68.9 ± 11.80 to 77.2 ± 7.50; and in group 3, it was 66.2 ± 12.16 to 73.8 ± 9.27. Initially, MCS declined substantially on the sixth month but recovered afterone year. Multiple regression analysis in 13 associated parameters yielded R2 of 13.7% and 18.1% in PCS and MCS, respectively, indicating little contribution of various parameters.

Conclusion

There has been a significant positive change in PCSs in three hyperphosphatemia management groups over a period of 12 months. Among the three study groups, the incremental changes in PCS and MCS scores were insignificant.

Patient-Centered Research and Innovation in Nephrology

Patient involvement in research can improve the relevance of research, consequently enhancing the recruitment, retention, and uptake of interventions and policies impacting patient outcomes. Despite this, patients are not often involved in the design and conduct of research. The research agenda and innovations are frequently determined by the interest of health and industry professionals rather than proactively aligning with the priorities of patients. It is now being encouraged and recommended to engage patients in research priority setting to ensure interventions and trials report outcomes valuable to patients, moving away from a history of overlooking the outcomes that reflect the feel and function of patients. Involving patients ensures constant innovative research in nephrology, as this broader depth of evidence fortifies reliability and validity through knowledge gained from lived experience. Findings from such research can enhance clinical practice and strengthen decision-making and policy to support better outcomes. We aim to outline principles and strategies for patient involvement in research, including setting research priorities, identifying and designing interventions, selecting outcomes, and disseminating and translating research. Principles and strategies including engagement, education and training, empowerment, and connection and community provide guidance in patient involvement. There are increasing efforts to involve patients across all stages of research including setting research priorities. Efforts are rising to involve patients across all stages of research including priority setting, identifying and designing interventions, selecting outcomes, and dissemination and translation. Patient involvement throughout the research cycle drives innovative investigations ensuring funding, efforts, and resources are directed toward priorities of patients, contributing to catalyst advancements in care and outcomes.

Group intervention programs and their impact on well-being and quality-of-life for adults living with a rare or orphan disease - realist review of literature

PURPOSE

Adults living with a rare or orphan diseases (ROD) experience common psychosocial difficulties that are often poorly addressed in usual care. This realist literature review aims to inform the development, evaluation and implementation of evidence based group therapy programs adapted to shared needs of patients living with various ROD.

METHOD

The review is based on an analysis of Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations. It included 21 primary studies published between 2010 and April 2022 and used a PRISMA process for study selection and inclusion.

RESULTS

Our results show that group psychosocial interventions can help reduce perception of symptoms and psychological impacts of disease, improve social functioning and support and quality of life in patients.

CONCLUSION

Group therapy programs seem promising for ROD-patients and should be considered within comprehensive treatment and support plans. However, more comprehensive studies of group therapies in context should aim to identify core active components of these interventions with ROD-patients. Implications for Rehabilitation:Rare or Orphan Diseases are varied, difficult to diagnose and have a major impact on all aspects of the patients' lives (physical, emotional, psychological, social, professional).Psychosocial support is a key but underdeveloped component to support the recovery trajectory for these patients.In this review of group interventions, we identified a few promising practices adaptable to patients living with Rare or Orphan Diseases (Acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapies, psychoeducational programs).Patients who received psychosocial group interventions are likely to experience improvement in their quality of life.

Effectiveness of a brief hope intervention for chronic kidney disease patients on the decisional conflict and quality of life: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients often experience decisional conflict when faced with the selection between the initiation of dialysis and conservative care. The study examined the effects of a brief hope intervention (BHI) on the levels of hope, decisional conflict and the quality of life for stage 5 CKD patients.

Methods

This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03378700). Eligible patients were recruited from the outpatient department renal clinic of a regional hospital. They were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group (intervention: n = 35; control: n = 37). All participants underwent a customized pre-dialysis education class, while the intervention group received also BHI. Data were collected prior to the intervention, immediately afterwards, and one month following the intervention. The Generalized Estimating Equation was used to measure the effects in the level of hope, decisional conflict scores (DCS) and Kidney Disease Quality of life (KDQOL-36) scores. Estimated marginal means and standard errors with 95% confidence intervals of these scores were also reported to examine the within group and between group changes.

Results

An increase of the hope score was found from time 1 (29.7, 1.64) to time 3 (34.4, 1.27) in the intervention group. The intervention had a significant effect on the KDQOL-36 sub-scores Mental Component Summary (MCS) (Wald χ² = 6.763, P = 0.009) and effects of kidney disease (Wald χ² = 3.617, P = 0.004). There was a reduction in decisional conflict in both arms on the DCS total score (Wald χ² = 7.885, P = 0.005), but the reduction was significantly greater in the control group (effect size 0.64).

Conclusions

The BHI appeared to increase the level of hope within the intervention arm. Nonetheless, differences across the intervention and control arms were not significant. The KDQOL-36 sub-scores on MCS and Effects of kidney disease were found to have increased and be higher in the intervention group. The DCS total score also showed that hope was associated with reducing decisional conflict.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration, NCT03378700. Registered July 12 2017.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-022-02830-7.

Patient-centred clinical trial design

Patient involvement in clinical trial design can facilitate the recruitment and retention of participants as well as potentially increase the uptake of the tested intervention and the impact of the findings on patient outcomes. Despite these benefits, patients still have very limited involvement in designing and conducting trials in nephrology. Many trials do not address research questions and outcomes that are important to patients, including patient-reported outcomes that reflect how patients feel and function. This limitation can undermine the relevance, reliability and value of trial-based evidence for decision-making in clinical practice and health policy. However, efforts to involve patients with kidney disease are increasing across all stages of the trial process from priority setting, to study design (including selection of outcomes and approaches to improve participant recruitment and retention) and dissemination and implementation of the findings. Harnessing the patient voice in designing trials can ensure that efforts and resources are directed towards patient-centred trials that address the needs, concerns and priorities of patients living with kidney disease with the aim of achieving transformative improvements in care and outcomes.

The association between sense of coherence and quality of life: a cross-sectional study in a sample of patients on hemodialysis

Background

Patients on hemodialysis universally experience detriments in their general quality of life (QOL). Sense of coherence (SOC) is a long-standing factor that affects QOL. Nevertheless, the association between SOC and QOL in patients on hemodialysis was seldom investigated. Our research aims to study this association in a sample of Lebanese adult patients on hemodialysis.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, SOC was measured using the short version of the “Orientation of Life" scale (SOC-13). QOL was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life- Short Form (KDQOL-SF). The association between SOC and QOL and its submodalities was first explored using Pearson Correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses, controlling for sociodemographic variables and medical variables.

Results

157 patients on hemodialysis (mean(SD) age: 62.1(13.81) years; 58.6% males) were included. Mean QOL score was 51.65 and that of SOC was 48.06. SOC was strongly corrected with the total QOL (r = 0.832; p value < 0.001), as well as its physical functioning (r = 0.767; p value < 0.001), emotional functioning (r = 0.757; p value < 0.001), cognitive functioning (r = 0.740; p value < 0.001), and social functioning (r = 0.773; p value < 0.001) submodailties. SOC was moderately correlated with professional functioning submodality of QOL (r = 0.618; p value < 0.001), but not correlated with the satisfaction with the quality of care (r = 0.052; p = 0.520). Within the regression models accounting for sociodemographic and medical variables, SOC was significantly associated with the total QOL (unstandardized B = 0.803; 95% CI 0.714, 0.893), physical functioning (unstandardized B = 0.761; standardized B = 0.763; 95% CI 0.661, 0.861), emotional functioning (unstandardized B = 1.205; standardized B = 0.757; 95% CI 1.037, 1.372), professional functioning (unstandardized B = 1.142; standardized B = 0.498; 95% CI 0.843, 1.442), cognitive functioning (unstandardized B = 1.239; standardized B = 0.739; 95% CI 1.058, 1.420), and social functioning (unstandardized B = 0.912; standardized B = 0.768; 95% CI 0.790, 1.034).

Conclusions

In a sample of adult patients on hemodialysis, SOC was positively significantly associated with QOL and its submodalities, expect the satisfaction with the quality of care. The confirmation of the general hypothesis that relates the SOC with the QOL encourages more salutogenic research among this patient population.

Patient-reported outcome measures in hemodialysis patients: results of the first multicenter cross-sectional ePROMs study in France

Background

Kidney failure with replacement therapy and hemodialysis are associated with a decrease in quality of life (QOL). Self-reported QOL symptoms are not always prioritized by the medical team, potentially leading to conflicting priorities with patients. Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) allow physicians to better identify these symptoms. The objective was to describe the prevalence of symptoms self-reported by hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in three HD centers. Patients were included if they were 18 years old or over treated with HD for at least 3 months in a center. Data were collected by the patient via a self-administered ePROMs questionnaire. Data included patient characteristics, post-dialysis fatigue and intensity, recovery time after a session, perceived stress, impaired sleep the day before the dialysis session, current state of health and the change from the past year. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify relations between symptoms.

Results

In total, we included 173 patients with a mean age of 66.2 years, a mean ± SD hemodialysis duration of 48.9 ± 58.02 months. The prevalence of fatigue was 72%. 66% had a high level of stress (level B or C). Recovery time was more than 6 h after a HD session for 25% of patients and 78% declared they had a better or unchanged health status than the previous year. Sleep disturbance was associated with cardiovascular comorbidities (OR 5.08 [95% CI, 1.56 to 16.59], p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Fatigue and stress were the main symptoms reported by HD patients. The patient’s care teams should better consider these symptoms.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12882-021-02551-3.

Pentoxifylline in diabetic kidney disease (VA PTXRx): protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the USA and worldwide. Recent experimental and clinical data suggest that the non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline (PTX) may decrease progression of chronic kidney disease. However, a large-scale randomised clinical trial is needed to determine whether PTX can reduce ESRD and death in DKD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Veterans Affairs (VA) PTXRx is a pragmatic, randomised, placebo-controlled multicentre VA Cooperative Study to test the hypothesis that PTX, when added to usual care, leads to a reduction in the time to ESRD or death in patients with type 2 diabetes with DKD when compared with usual care plus placebo. The study aims to enrol 2510 patients over a 4-year period with an additional up to 5-year follow-up to generate a total of 646 primary events. The primary objective of this study is to compare the time until ESRD or death (all-cause mortality) between participants randomised to PTX or placebo. Secondary endpoints will be: (1) health-related quality of life, (2) time to doubling of serum creatinine, (3) incidence of hospitalisations for congestive heart failure, (4) incidence of a three-point major adverse cardiovascular events composite (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke), (5) incidence of peripheral vascular disease, (6) change in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio from baseline to 6 months and (7) rate of annual change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during the study period.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by the VA Central Institutional Review Board (cIRB/18-36) and will be conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. The Hines Cooperative Studies Programme will finalise the study results, which will be published in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03625648.

Using Patient-Reported Measures to Improve Outcomes in Kidney Disease

Patients with CKD and ESRD are vulnerable to increased mortality rates and other poor outcomes. Among those with ESRD, their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is shown little to no improvement as they undergo treatments such as dialysis and providers concurrently manage other health issues that complicate their already vulnerable state. This review synthesizes evidence demonstrating that a focus on measuring and monitoring patient-reported outcomes (PRO) such as pain and depression can improve HRQOL. Patient-centered care has the potential to create an efficient way for clinicians to address specific challenges facing patients. While there is an emerging literature assessing the use of PROs in kidney research, by examining relevant research in other disciplines it is possible to generate better ways to use PROs in this high-risk population. Electronic health records as well as various other electronic methods of communication between the clinician and patient may serve to accelerate the trajectory toward patient-centered care using PROs.

Mechanisms and Effects of Health Coaching in Patients With Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

To examine the effects of health coaching on self-management and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to evaluate whether self-efficacy and patient activation mediate the effect of health coaching on self-management and QOL.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A single-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 108 patients with stages 1 to 3a CKD participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to a health-coaching intervention group or a usual care control group. Participants' QOL (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale), self-management (CKD Self-Management instrument), patient activation (Patient Activation Measure), and self-efficacy (CKD Self-Efficacy instrument) were measured at baseline, immediately after, and 6 weeks after the intervention.

FINDINGS

Health coaching improved QOL, self-management, patient activation, and self-efficacy at postintervention and at 12 weeks' follow-up. Health coaching had a significant indirect effect on QOL through improvements in patient activation. Health coaching exerted a significant indirect effect on self-management through improvements in self-efficacy and patient activation.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrated that health coaching can effectively improve QOL and self-management. A health-coaching intervention can raise self-efficacy and activation levels through which self-management and QOL further improve.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Health-coaching strategies can be used to assist patients with early-stage CKD in reaching their health goals and becoming activated in self-management of their diseases.

Quality of Life Is Associated with Cardiac Biomarkers, Echocardiographic Indices, and Mortality in CKD Stage 4-5 Patients Not on Dialysis

INTRODUCTION

Patients with CKD have an impaired health-related quality of life (QoL). Most studies have been conducted on dialysis patients, and less is known about QoL and its determinants in predialysis patients. We studied the association between QoL and comorbidities, cardiac biomarkers, echocardiography, and mortality in patients with CKD stage 4-5 not on dialysis.

METHODS

A total of 140 patients enrolled in the Chronic Arterial Disease, Quality of Life and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Injury (CADKID) study filled the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) at the beginning of the study. Echocardiography and biochemical parameters were obtained at baseline. Patients were followed up for at least 2 years or until death.

RESULTS

The median age was 66 years, and 51 (36%) patients were female. The median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 13 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Obesity, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure were associated with lower QoL scores in multiple KDQOL-SF domains. Cardiac biomarkers, troponin T (p = 0.02), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (p = 0.006), and the echocardiographic parameter of cardiac systolic function left ventricular global longitudinal strain (p = 0.02) were significant predictors of lower physical component summary (PCS) score in multivariable regression models after controlling for age, BMI, and diabetes. A low PCS score predicted mortality in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model [HR 0.96 (95% CI 0.92-0.99), p = 0.03]. QoL was not associated with kidney disease progression.

CONCLUSION

Impaired QoL in CKD stage 4-5 patients not on dialysis is associated with cardiac biomarker levels, echocardiographic indices, and mortality.

Associations of Socio-Demographic, Clinical and Biochemical Parameters with Healthcare Cost, Health- and Renal-Related Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients: A Clinical Observational Study

We examined factors associated with healthcare cost, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL) in hemodialysis patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 160 patients from January to April 2019 at a hemodialysis center. Socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and quality of life (QOL) (using KDQOL-SF-v1.3) were assessed. Monthly healthcare costs were extracted from the hospital information system. The means of healthcare cost, HRQOL, and KDQOL were VND 9.4 ± 1.6 million, VND 45.1 ± 21.9 and VND 51.3 ± 13.0, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the healthcare cost was higher in patients with a longer hemodialysis vintage (regression coefficient (B): 0.74; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.25; 1.23), comorbidity (B: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.24; 1.31); and lower in those with a higher hematocrit concentration (B: −0.07; 95% CI: −0.13; −0.01). Patients that lived in urban areas (B: 9.08; 95% CI: 2.30; 15.85) had a better HRQOL; those with a comorbidity (B: −14.20; 95% CI: −21.43; −6.97), and with hypoalbuminemia (B: −9.31; 95% CI: −16.58; −2.04) had a poorer HRQOL. Patients with a higher level of education (B: 5.38~6.29) had a better KDQOL; those with a comorbidity had a poorer KDQOL (B: −6.17; 95% CI: −10.49; −1.85). In conclusion, a longer hemodialysis vintage, a comorbidity and a lower hematocrit concentration were associated with higher healthcare costs. Patients who lived in urban areas had a better HRQOL and a higher level of education led to a better KDQOL. Patients with a comorbidity had a lower HRQOL and KDQOL. Malnourished patients had a lower HRQOL.

Impact of superimposed nephrological care to guidelines-directed management by primary care physicians of patients with stable chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Optimal clinical care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaboration between primary care physicians (PCPs) and nephrologists. We undertook a randomised trial to determine the impact of superimposed nephrologist care compared to guidelines-directed management by PCPs in CKD patients after hospital discharge.

METHODS

Stage 3b-4 CKD patients were enrolled during a hospitalization and randomised in two arms: Co-management by PCPs and nephrologists (interventional arm) versus management by PCPs with written instructions and consultations by nephrologists on demand (standard care). Our primary outcome was death or rehospitalisation within the 2 years post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes were: urgent renal replacement therapy (RRT), decline of renal function and decrease of quality of life at 2 years.

RESULTS

From November 2009 to the end of June 2013, we randomised 242 patients. Mean follow-up was 51 + 20 months. Survival without rehospitalisation, GFR decline and elective dialysis initiation did not differ between the two arms. Quality of life was also similar in both groups. Compared to randomised patients, those who either declined to participate in the study or were previously known by nephrologists had a worse survival.

CONCLUSION

These results do not demonstrate a benefit of a regular renal care compared to guided PCPs care in terms of survival or dialysis initiation in CKD patients. Increased awareness of renal disease management among PCPs may be as effective as a co-management by PCPs and nephrologists in order to improve the prognosis of moderate-to-severe CKD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered on June 29, 2009 in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00929760) and adheres to CONSORT 2010 guidelines.

The impact of symptoms on health-related quality of life in elderly pre-dialysis patients: effect and importance in the EQUAL study

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients feel that symptoms are an important determinant of QoL. However, this relation is unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of the number and severity of symptoms on QoL in elderly pre-dialysis patients, assessed by both the effect of symptoms and their importance relative to kidney function, and other clinical variables on QoL.

METHODS

The European Quality study (EQUAL study) is an ongoing European prospective follow-up study in late Stage 4/5 CKD patients aged ≥65 years. We used patients included between March 2012 and December 2015. Patients scored their symptoms with the Dialysis Symptom Index, and QoL with the research and development-36 (RAND-36) item Health Survey (RAND-36). The RAND-36 results in a physical component summary (PCS) and a mental component summary (MCS). We used linear regression to estimate the relation between symptoms and QoL at baseline and after 6 months, and to calculate the variance in QoL explained by symptoms.

RESULTS

The baseline questionnaire was filled in by 1079 (73%) patients (median age 75 years, 66% male, 98% Caucasian), and the follow up questionnaire by 627 (42%) patients. At baseline, every additional symptom changed MCS with -0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.91 to -0.71] and PCS with -0.50 (95% CI: -0.62 to -0.39). In univariable analyses, number of symptoms explained 22% of MCS variance and 11% of PCS variance, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate only explained 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly CKD Stage 4/5 patients, symptoms have a substantial impact on QoL. This indicates symptoms should have a more prominent role in clinical decision-making.

Risk profile, quality of life and care of patients with moderate and advanced CKD: The French CKD-REIN Cohort Study

Background

The French Chronic Kidney Disease-Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (CKD-REIN) cohort study was designed to investigate the determinants of prognosis and care of patients referred to nephrologists with moderate and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined their baseline risk profile and experience.

Methods

We collected bioclinical and patient-reported information from 3033 outpatients with CKD and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) of 15-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 treated at 40 nationally representative public and private facilities.

Results

The patients' median age was 69 (60-76) years, 65% were men, their mean eGFR was 33 mL/min/1.73 m2, 43% had diabetes, 24% had a history of acute kidney injury (AKI) and 57% had uncontrolled blood pressure (BP; >140/90 mmHg). Men had worse risk profiles than women and were more likely to be past or current smokers (73% versus 34%) and have cardiovascular disease (59% versus 42%), albuminuria >30 mg/mmol (or proteinuria > 50) (40% versus 30%) (all P < 0.001) and a higher median risk of end-stage renal disease within 5 years, predicted by the kidney failure risk equation {12% [interquartile range (IQR) 3-37%] versus 9% [3-31%], P = 0.008}. During the previous year, 60% of patients reported one-to-two nephrologist visits and four or more general practitioner visits; only 25% saw a dietician and 75% were prescribed five or more medications daily. Physical and mental quality of life (QoL) were poor, with scores <50/100.

Conclusions

The CKD-REIN study highlights high-risk profiles of cohort members and identifies several priorities, including improving BP control and dietary counselling and increasing doctors' awareness of AKI, polypharmacy and QoL.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03381950.

Association between health related quality of life and progression of chronic kidney disease

The impact of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) on outcomes remains unclear in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients despite its importance in socioeconomic aspects and individual health. We aim to identify the relationship between HRQOL and progression of CKD in pre-dialysis patients. A total 1622 patients with CKD were analyzed in the KoreaN cohort Study for Outcomes in patients With Chronic Kidney Disease, a prospective cohort study. CKD progression was defined as one or more of the following: initiation of dialysis or transplantation, a two-fold increase in baseline serum creatinine levels, or a 50% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate during the follow-up period. The group with CKD progression had lower scores of HRQOL than the group without CKD progression. A fully adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratio model showed that each low baseline physical and mental component summary score was associated with a higher risk of CKD progression. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis using propensity score matched data, only low physical component summary scores showed statistical significance with CKD progression. Our study highlights low physical component summary score for an important prognostic factor of CKD progression. Risk-modification interventions for high-risk patients may provide benefits to individuals.

Symptoms of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Prospective Cohort Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Although multiple lines of evidence suggest a negative impact of secondary hyperparathyroidism on patients with kidney failure treated by hemodialysis, it is uncertain whether patients can detect associated symptoms. The objective was to determine whether changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are associated with changes in symptoms within this patient population.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

165 adults with hyperparathyroidism secondary to kidney failure diagnosed, a range of dialysis vintages, and receiving regular hemodialysis from a US single-provider organization.

EXPOSURE

Change in PTH levels over 24 weeks.

OUTCOMES

19 putative symptoms of secondary hyperparathyroidism measured up to 4 times using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed severity on a 5-level ordinal scale.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Longitudinal associations between changes in PTH levels and symptom severity were assessed using generalized additive models.

RESULTS

The 165 participants studied represented 81% of enrollees (N=204) who had sufficiently complete data for analysis. Mean age was 56 years and 54% were women. Increases in PTH levels over time were associated (P<0.1) with worsening of bone aches and stiffness, joint aches, muscle soreness, overall pain, itchy skin, and tiredness, and the effects were more pronounced with larger changes in PTH levels.

LIMITATIONS

Findings may have been influenced by confounding by unmeasured comorbid conditions, concomitant medications, and multiple testing coupled with a P value threshold of 0.10.

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory study, we observed that among patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, increases in PTH levels over time were associated with worsening of 1 or more cluster of symptoms. Replication of these findings in other populations is needed before concluding about the magnitude and shape of these associations. If replicated, these findings could inform clinically useful approaches for measuring patient-reported outcomes related to secondary hyperparathyroidism.

The Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients Treated With Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Perspective

There is increasing interest in the integration of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into health care research and clinical practice for the benefit of patients with end-stage kidney disease receiving hemodialysis. In a research setting, PROs can be used as a patient-centered primary or secondary outcome in clinical studies. In routine care, PRO data may be used to support service delivery through benchmarking and audit or inform and enhance the care of the individual patient by improving patient-clinician communication. Despite evidence demonstrating the potential benefits of PROs and prioritization of these outcomes by patients, their use in kidney disease remains limited. Although there are significant methodological and operational challenges for the widespread integration of PROs, there is now consensus that this area should be at the forefront of clinical research and implementation science. We discuss the current use of PROs for patients with end-stage kidney disease receiving hemodialysis and identify a roadmap for increasing the evidence base and introducing PROs into mainstream clinical practice.

Body Mass Index, waist circumference, and health-related quality of life in adults with chronic kidney disease

PURPOSE

Obesity is linked to poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population, but its role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is uncertain.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study that investigated 1880 participants from the KoreaN cohort study for Outcome in patients With CKD (KNOW-CKD) who underwent complete baseline laboratory tests, health questionnaires, and HRQOL. HRQOL was assessed by physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-36 questionnaire. We used multivariable linear regression models to examine the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and sex-specific waist circumference (WC) with HRQOL.

RESULTS

Adults with higher BMI and greater WC showed lower PCS. After adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic state, comorbidities, and laboratory findings, we found that WC, but not BMI, was associated with PCS. Greater WC quintiles were associated with lower PCS [WC-4th quintile (β, - 2.63, 95% CI - 5.19 to - 0.06) and WC-5th quintile (β, - 3.71, 95% CI - 6.28 to - 1.15)]. The association between WC and PCS was more pronounced in older adults, woman, patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or lower eGFR. The relationship between BMI and WC with MCS was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with CKD, WC is a better indicator of poor physical HRQOL than BMI. The association between WC and physical HRQOL is modified by age, sex, eGFR, and comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Determinants of quality of life as measured with variants of SF-36 in patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES

To determine the average health-related quality of life (HRQOL) score levels and their determinants in patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted for relevant observational studies published between April 2007 and April 2017 in MEDLINE, EBSCOhost, and CINAHL databases.

RESULTS

Thirteen observational studies with a total sample of 8635 subjects comprising 53.3% male with an aggregate mean age of 59.5 (SD 14.9) years were included in this review. Of the 8 generic HRQOL domains of the Short-Form Health Surveys, Social Functioning had the highest mean score whereas General Health had the lowest mean score in patients with predialysis CKD. Physical component summary (PCS) was more impaired than mental component summary (MCS). The determinants of poor HRQOL in predialysis CKD patients included both modifiable risk factors such as comorbidities (namely anxiety and depression), low serum hemoglobin level, sedentary lifestyle, unemployment and non-modifiable risk factors such as poor glomerular filtration rate, female gender, and older age. The risk factors impeded PCS more than MCS.

CONCLUSION

Several risk factors influence HRQOL impairment in patients with predialysis CKD, with PCS being more impacted than MCS. The risk factors for poor HRQOL are important for future research and for improving renal care in patients with predialysis CKD.

Sleep Duration and Health-Related Quality of Life in Predialysis CKD

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sleep duration has been associated with cardiometabolic risk and mortality. The health-related quality of life represents a patient's comprehensive perception of health and is accepted as a health outcome. We examined the relationship between sleep duration and health-related quality of life in predialysis CKD.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

In this cross-sectional study, data from 1910 adults with CKD enrolled in the Korean Cohort Study for Outcome in Patients with CKD were analyzed. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the physical component summary and mental component summary of the Short Form-36 Health Survey. Low health-related quality of life was defined as a Short Form-36 Health Survey score >1 SD below the mean. Using a generalized additive model and multivariable logistic regression analysis, the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and health-related quality of life was examined.

RESULTS

Seven-hour sleepers showed the highest health-related quality of life. We found an inverted U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and health-related quality of life as analyzed by a generalized additive model. In multivariable logistic analysis, short sleepers (≤5 h/d) had lower health-related quality of life (odds ratio, 3.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.86 to 5.60 for the physical component summary; odds ratio, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to 3.94 for the mental component summary), and long sleepers (≥9 h/d) had lower health-related quality of life (odds ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.55 to 5.03 for the physical component summary; odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 3.60 for the mental component summary) compared with 7-hour sleepers. Sleep duration had a significant U-shaped association with low health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that short or long sleep duration is independently associated with low health-related quality of life in adults with CKD.

Clinicians' and researchers' perspectives on establishing and implementing core outcomes in haemodialysis: semistructured interview study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the perspectives of clinicians and researchers on identifying, establishing and implementing core outcomes in haemodialysis and their expected impact.

DESIGN

Face-to-face, semistructured interviews; thematic analysis.

STETTING

Twenty-seven centres across nine countries.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-eight nephrologists (42 (72%) who were also triallists).

RESULTS

We identified six themes: reflecting direct patient relevance and impact (survival as the primary goal of dialysis, enabling well-being and functioning, severe consequences of comorbidities and complications, indicators of treatment success, universal relevance, stakeholder consensus); amenable and responsive to interventions (realistic and possible to intervene on, differentiating between treatments); reflective of economic burden on healthcare; feasibility of implementation (clarity and consistency in definition, easily measurable, requiring minimal resources, creating a cultural shift, aversion to intensifying bureaucracy, allowing justifiable exceptions); authoritative inducement and directive (endorsement for legitimacy, necessity of buy-in from dialysis providers, incentivising uptake); instituting patient-centredness (explicitly addressing patient-important outcomes, reciprocating trial participation, improving comparability of interventions for decision-making, driving quality improvement and compelling a focus on quality of life).

CONCLUSIONS

Nephrologists emphasised that core outcomes should be relevant to patients, amenable to change, feasible to implement and supported by stakeholder organisations. They expected core outcomes would improve patient-centred care and outcomes.

Establishing a Core Outcome Measure for Fatigue in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis (SONG-HD) Consensus Workshop Report

Fatigue is one of the most highly prioritized outcomes for patients and clinicians, but remains infrequently and inconsistently reported across trials in hemodialysis. We convened an international Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Hemodialysis (SONG-HD) consensus workshop with stakeholders to discuss the development and implementation of a core outcome measure for fatigue. 15 patients/caregivers and 42 health professionals (clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and industry representatives) from 9 countries participated in breakout discussions. Transcripts were analyzed thematically. 4 themes for a core outcome measure emerged. Drawing attention to a distinct and all-encompassing symptom was explicitly recognizing fatigue as a multifaceted symptom unique to hemodialysis. Emphasizing the pervasive impact of fatigue on life participation justified the focus on how fatigue severely impaired the patient's ability to do usual activities. Ensuring relevance and accuracy in measuring fatigue would facilitate shared decision making about treatment. Minimizing burden of administration meant avoiding the cognitive burden, additional time, and resources required to use the measure. A core outcome measure that is simple, is short, and includes a focus on the severity of the impact of fatigue on life participation may facilitate consistent and meaningful measurement of fatigue in all trials to inform decision making and care of patients receiving hemodialysis.