Health-related quality of life, functional impairment and comorbidity in people with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

Potentially modifiable factors associated with health-related quality of life among people with chronic kidney disease: baseline findings from the National Unified Renal Translational Research Enterprise CKD (NURTuRE-CKD) cohort

Background

Many non-modifiable factors are associated with poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) experienced by people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesize that potentially modifiable factors for poor HRQoL can be identified among CKD patients, providing potential targets for intervention.

Method

The National Unified Renal Translational Research Enterprise Chronic Kidney Disease (NURTuRE-CKD) cohort study recruited 2996 participants from nephrology centres with all stages of non-dialysis-dependent CKD. Baseline data collection for sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical and clinical information, including Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale renal, Hospital Anxiety and Depression score (HADS) and the 5-level EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-5L) as HRQoL measure, took place between 2017 and 2019. EQ-5D-5L dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) were mapped to an EQ-5D-3L value set to derive index value. Multivariable mixed effects regression models, adjusted for known factors affecting HRQoL with recruitment region as a random effect, were fit to assess potentially modifiable factors associated with index value (linear) and within each dimension (logistic).

Results

Among the 2958/2996 (98.7%) participants with complete EQ-5D data, 2201 (74.4%) reported problems in at least one EQ-5D-5L dimension. Multivariable linear regression identified independent associations between poorer HRQoL (EQ-5D-3L index value) and obesity (body mass index ≥30.0 kg/m2, β -0.037, 95% CI -0.058 to -0.016, P = .001), HADS depression score ≥8 (β -0.159, -0.182 to -0.137, P < .001), anxiety score ≥8 (β -0.090, -0.110 to -0.069, P < .001), taking ≥10 medications (β -0.065, -0.085 to -0.046, P < .001), sarcopenia (β -0.062, -0.080 to -0.043, P < .001) haemoglobin <100 g/L (β -0.047, -0.085 to -0.010, P = .012) and pain (β -0.134, -0.152 to -0.117, P < .001). Smoking and prescription of prednisolone independently associated with problems in self-care and usual activities respectively. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) prescription associated with fewer problems with mobility and usual activities.

Conclusion

Potentially modifiable factors including obesity, pain, depression, anxiety, anaemia, polypharmacy, smoking, steroid use and sarcopenia associated with poorer HRQoL in this cohort, whilst RASi use was associated with better HRQoL in two dimensions.

Blood pressure targets in chronic kidney disease: still no consensus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite a strong consensus that treatment of hypertension is fundamental to strategies seeking to slow chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and reduce the associated risk of cardiovascular events (CVE), controversy persists regarding optimal blood pressure (BP) targets. This article reviews the evidence for different targets, discusses associated controversies and suggests approaches to improve BP control.

RECENT FINDINGS

Landmark clinical trials established the principle that lower BP targets are associated with slower progression of CKD in people with a greater magnitude of proteinuria and previous guidelines recommended a target BP of <130/80 mmHg for those with proteinuria. However, the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial provided new evidence that a systolic BP target of <120 mmHg was associated with a reduced risk of CVE, though there was no impact on CKD progression and there was concern about an increase in renal adverse events. Nevertheless, 2021 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recommended systolic BP <120 mmHg, though other updated guidelines did not follow this trend. All guidelines emphasise the importance of standardised BP measurement and a personalised approach.

SUMMARY

An individualised and shared decision-making approach to BP target setting and management is recommended, guided by standardised BP measurement.

Quality of Life and Kidney Function in Older Adults: Prospective Data of the SCOPE Study

A longitudinal alteration in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over a two-year period and its association with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression was investigated among 1748 older adults (>75 years). HRQoL was measured by the Euro-Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) at baseline and at one and two years after recruitment. A full comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The association between EQ-VAS decline and covariates was investigated by multivariable analyses. A total of 41% of the participants showed EQ-VAS decline, and 16.3% showed kidney function decline over the two-year follow-up period. Participants with EQ-VAS decline showed an increase in GDS-SF scores and a greater decline in SPPB scores. The logistic regression analyses showed no contribution of a decrease in kidney function on EQ-VAS decline in the early stages of CKD. However, older adults with a greater GDS-SF score were more likely to present EQ-VAS decline over time, whereas an increase in the SPPB scores was associated with less EQ-VAS decline. This finding should be considered in clinical practice and when HRQoL is used to evaluate health interventions among older adults.

Geriatric Syndromes and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease

Key Points

In older adults with CKD, geriatric syndromes are common and are associated with reduced quality of life. Addressing geriatric syndromes could potentially improve quality of life for older adults with CKD.

Background

Geriatric syndromes, which are multifactorial conditions common in older adults, predict health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Although CKD is associated with lower HRQOL, whether geriatric syndromes contribute to HRQOL in CKD is unknown. Our objective was to compare associations of geriatric syndromes and medical conditions with HRQOL in older adults with CKD.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of a parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating a 12-month exercise intervention in persons 55 years or older with CKD stage 3b–4. Participants were assessed for baseline geriatric syndromes (cognitive impairment, poor appetite, dizziness, fatigue, and chronic pain) and medical conditions (diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Participants' HRQOL was assessed with the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Level, and the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale. We examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of geriatric syndromes and medical conditions with HRQOL using multiple linear regression.

Results

Among 99 participants, the mean age was 68.0 years, 25% were female, and 62% were Black. Participants had a baseline mean of 2.0 geriatric syndromes and 2.1 medical conditions; 49% had ≥ two geriatric syndromes and ≥ two medical conditions concurrently. Sixty-seven (68%) participants underwent 12-month assessments. In models using geriatric syndromes and medical conditions as concurrent exposures, the number of geriatric syndromes was cross-sectionally associated with SF-36 scores for general health (β =−0.385) and role limitations because of physical health (β =−0.374) and physical functioning (β =−0.300, all P <0.05). The number of medical conditions was only associated with SF-36 score for role limitations because of physical health (β =−0.205).

Conclusions

In older adults with CKD stage 3b–4, geriatric syndromes are common and are associated with lower HRQOL. Addressing geriatric conditions is a potential approach to improve HRQOL for older adults with CKD.

Clinical Trial registry name and registration number:

NCT01462097 ; Registration Date–October 26, 2011.

Comorbidity and health-related quality of life in people with a chronic medical condition in randomised clinical trials: An individual participant data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life metrics evaluate treatments in ways that matter to patients, so are often included in randomised clinical trials (hereafter trials). Multimorbidity, where individuals have 2 or more conditions, is negatively associated with quality of life. However, whether multimorbidity predicts change over time or modifies treatment effects for quality of life is unknown. Therefore, clinicians and guideline developers are uncertain about the applicability of trial findings to people with multimorbidity. We examined whether comorbidity count (higher counts indicating greater multimorbidity) (i) is associated with quality of life at baseline; (ii) predicts change in quality of life over time; and/or (iii) modifies treatment effects on quality of life.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Included trials were registered on the United States trials registry for selected index medical conditions and drug classes, phase 2/3, 3 or 4, had ≥300 participants, a nonrestrictive upper age limit, and were available on 1 of 2 trial repositories on 21 November 2016 and 18 May 2018, respectively. Of 124 meeting these criteria, 56 trials (33,421 participants, 16 index conditions, and 23 drug classes) collected a generic quality of life outcome measure (35 EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D), 31 36-item short form survey (SF-36) with 10 collecting both). Blinding and completeness of follow up were examined for each trial. Using trials where individual participant data (IPD) was available from 2 repositories, a comorbidity count was calculated from medical history and/or prescriptions data. Linear regressions were fitted for the association between comorbidity count and (i) quality of life at baseline; (ii) change in quality of life during trial follow up; and (iii) treatment effects on quality of life. These results were then combined in Bayesian linear models. Posterior samples were summarised via the mean, 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles as credible intervals (95% CI) and via the proportion with values less than 0 as the probability (PBayes) of a negative association. All results are in standardised units (obtained by dividing the EQ-5D/SF-36 estimates by published population standard deviations). Per additional comorbidity, adjusting for age and sex, across all index conditions and treatment comparisons, comorbidity count was associated with lower quality of life at baseline and with a decline in quality of life over time (EQ-5D -0.02 [95% CI -0.03 to -0.01], PBayes > 0.999). Associations were similar, but with wider 95% CIs crossing the null for SF-36-PCS and SF-36-MCS (-0.05 [-0.10 to 0.01], PBayes = 0.956 and -0.05 [-0.10 to 0.01], PBayes = 0.966, respectively). Importantly, there was no evidence of any interaction between comorbidity count and treatment efficacy for either EQ-5D or SF-36 (EQ-5D -0.0035 [95% CI -0.0153 to -0.0065], PBayes = 0.746; SF-36-MCS (-0.0111 [95% CI -0.0647 to 0.0416], PBayes = 0.70 and SF-36-PCS -0.0092 [95% CI -0.0758 to 0.0476], PBayes = 0.631.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment effects on quality of life did not differ by multimorbidity (measured via a comorbidity count) at baseline-for the medical conditions studied, types and severity of comorbidities and level of quality of life at baseline, suggesting that evidence from clinical trials is likely to be applicable to settings with (at least modestly) higher levels of comorbidity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

A prespecified protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018048202).

Quality of life in older adults with chronic kidney disease and transient changes in renal function: Findings from the Oxford Renal cohort

Background

Quality of life (QoL) is an important measure of disease burden and general health perception. The relationship between early chronic kidney disease (CKD) and QoL remains poorly understood. The Oxford Renal Study (OxRen) cohort comprises 1063 adults aged ≥60 years from UK primary care practices screened for early CKD, grouped according to existing or screen-detected CKD diagnoses, or biochemistry results indicative of reduced renal function (referred to as transient estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction).

Objectives

This study aimed to compare QoL in participants known to have CKD at recruitment to those identified as having CKD through a screening programme.

Methods

Health profile data and multi-attribute utility scores were reported for two generic questionnaires: 5-level EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) and ICEpop CAPability measure for Adults (ICECAP-A). QoL was compared between patients with existing and screen-detected CKD; those with transient eGFR reduction served as the reference group in univariable and multivariable linear regression.

Results

Mean and standard deviation utility scores were not significantly different between the subgroups for EQ-5D-5L (screen-detected:0.785±0.156, n = 480, transient:0.779±0.157, n = 261, existing CKD:0.763±0.171, n = 322, p = 0.216) or ICECAP-A (screen-detected:0.909±0.094, transient:0.904±0.110, existing CKD:0.894±0.115, p = 0.200). Age, smoking status, and number of comorbidities were identified as independent predictors of QoL in this cohort.

Conclusion

QoL of participants with existing CKD diagnoses was not significantly different from those with screen-detected CKD or transient eGFR reduction and was similar to UK mean scores for the same age, suggesting that patient burden of early CKD is minor. Moreover, CKD-related comorbidities contribute more significantly to disease burden in earlier stages of CKD than renal function per se. Larger prospective studies are required to define the relationship between QoL and CKD progression more precisely. These data also confirm the essentially asymptomatic nature of CKD, implying that routine screening or case finding are required to diagnose it.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status. AIM: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD. This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52-75), 55 (45-72), 46 (43-58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ² 58.2, p<0.0001). As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education.

Chronic Pain and Its Association with Depressive Symptoms and Renal Function in Hypertensive Patients

Chronic pain is a common concern and is considered to be one of the major problems in patients with chronic physical disorders. We studied the effect of pain in patients with hypertension with or without chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the association between pain and symptoms of depression. The study involved 158 hypertensive individuals (59.5% male, mean age 55 years), of whom 47 (29.8%) had CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Pain was assessed with the pain/discomfort domain of the EuroQol-5 D, while depressive symptoms were assessed with the depression module of the Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). The prevalence of chronic pain in our sample was 44.3%. Women exhibited chronic pain more often compared to men (57.1% vs. 42.9%, p < 0.001). The presence of CKD was not significantly associated with a higher prevalence of chronic pain among hypertensive patients. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with the presence of chronic pain. These findings were confirmed in the logistic regression analysis. Chronic pain is common in hypertensive individuals and the association with depression warrants further investigation and may have practical implications in managing these patients.

Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients on Hemodialysis with Comorbidities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Patients on hemodialysis with multiple comorbidities have limited physical activity, resulting in poor health, low activity participation, and low quality of life. Accordingly, the nursing care provided to such patients should include regular physical activity training programs. Therefore, this cross-sectional descriptive study investigated whether patients on hemodialysis with and without comorbidities have different levels of physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); the correlations among the comorbidities, physical activity, and HRQoL of the two cohorts were also assessed. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 and International Physical Activity Questionnaire were employed to collect data from 120 patients on hemodialysis. An independent samples t-test and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted. The overall HRQoL of patients with comorbidities was lower than that of patients without comorbidities (p = 0.008). Compared with patients who participated in low-intensity physical activity, the overall HRQoL of patients who participated in moderate-intensity physical activity was higher (p < 0.001). The overall HRQoL of patients with comorbidities who participated in low-intensity physical activity was lower than that of those who participated in moderate-intensity physical activity (p < 0.001). Moderate-intensity physical activity was correlated with higher HRQoL for patients with comorbidities. This finding supports the implementation of effective physical activity intervention measures. Furthermore, it supports the promotion of patient self-management and the implementation of regular exercise programs and lifestyle changes, and patients on hemodialysis can benefit from the future management of physical activities.

Predictors of health-related quality of life in musculoskeletal disease patients: a longitudinal analysis

Introduction

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) have a significant impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) exacerbating disability, reducing independence and work capacity, among others. Predictors' identification affecting HRQoL could help to place efforts that minimize the deleterious impact of these conditions on patients' wellbeing. This study evaluates the influence of demographic and clinical predictors on the HRQoL of a cohort of RMD patients, measured using the Rosser classification index (RCI).

Methods

We included patients attending the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (HCSC) rheumatology outpatient clinic from 1 April 2007 to 30 November 2017. The primary outcome was the HRQoL assessed in each of the patient's visits using the RCI. Demographic and clinical variables extracted from a departmental electronic health record (EHR) were used as predictors: RMD diagnoses, treatments, comorbidities, and averaged HRQoL values from previous periods (for this last variable, values were imputed if no information was available). Association between predictors and HRQoL was analyzed using penalized generalized estimating equations (PGEEs). To account for imputation bias, the PGEE model was repeated excluding averaged HRQoL predictors, and common predictors were considered.

Discussion

A total of 18,187 outpatients with 95,960 visits were included. From 410 initial predictors, 19 were independently associated with patients' HRQoL in both PGEE models. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), an episode of prescription of third level analgesics, monoarthritis, and fibromyalgia diagnoses were associated with worse HRQoL. Conversely, the prescription in the previous visit of acid-lowering medication, colchicine, and third level analgesics was associated with better HRQoL.

Conclusion

We have identified several diagnoses, treatments, and comorbidities independently associated with HRQoL in a cohort of outpatients attending a rheumatology clinic.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status. AIM: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD. This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52-75), 55 (45-72), 46 (43-58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ2 58.2, p<0.0001). As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education.

Customization of stent design for treating malignant airway stenosis with the aid of three-dimensional printing

Background

The treatment of malignant stenosis involving the carina or bronchi is challenging due to complicated anatomy with individual variation, which makes it necessary to customize stents for each patient. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a novel metallic segmented airway stent customized with the aid of three-dimensional (3D) printing for such cases.

Methods

The stents were individually customized with the aid of a 3D printed mold based on computed tomography (CT) images according to the anatomical features of the airway. A segmented design was applied on the junction part of the main stem and the branches to fit the dynamic changes of the carina angle. In 12 patients with airway stenosis caused by malignancies including esophageal cancer (EC) and lung cancer (LC), the stents were implanted. The technical and clinical success of the stenting procedure, Hugh-Jones (HJ) classification, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and stent-related complications of patients were evaluated.

Results

The stenting procedure was technically successful in all patients, and 11 patients showed significant palliation of dyspnea after stenting. The HJ and KPS classification of patients after stent insertion improved significantly compared with those before stenting (P=0.003 and P=0.006, respectively). During follow-up, granulation tissue proliferation and sputum retention were found in two and four patients, respectively.

Conclusions

This study shows that the implantation of a novel stent designed with the aid of 3D printing is feasible for relieving dyspnea and improving performance status of patients with inoperable malignant stenosis involving the carina or bronchi.

A Narrative Review of Management Strategies for Common Symptoms in Advanced CKD

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience multiple bothersome symptoms, undermining their quality of life (QOL). With growing attention to the importance of symptom management in advanced CKD, the evidence regarding symptoms is increasing. In this review, we briefly summarize the current evidence of effective pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to improve symptoms and QOL in patients with advanced CKD, including those on dialysis. We focused on symptoms that are commonly experienced by patients, such as pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, itching, nausea and vomiting, cognitive impairment, and anxiety and depression. We noted that research in symptom science focused on improving symptom management in CKD is still very limited. In addition to the lack of clinical practice guidelines to address those common symptoms, the major gaps in the current literature include the evidence regarding mechanistic pathways to inform the development of effective symptom management for CKD populations, the evidence to confirm effective pharmacologic interventions in other populations for CKD populations, and research on how to incorporate effective symptom management approaches into clinical care. Although improving mortality remains as an important area in the kidney community, there is an urgent need to focus on improving symptom management to improve QOL in advanced CKD.

Protocol and Baseline Data on Renal Autologous Cell Therapy Injection in Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease Secondary to Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract

BACKGROUND

Advanced cell therapies with autologous, homologous cells show promise to affect reparative and restorative changes in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) nephron. We present our protocol and preliminary analysis of an IRB-approved, phase I single-group, open-label trial that tests the safety and efficacy of Renal Autologous Cell Therapy (REACT; NCT04115345) in adults with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).

METHODS

Adults with surgically corrected CAKUT and CKD stages 3 and 4 signed an informed consent and served as their "own" baseline control. REACT is an active biological ingredient acquired from a percutaneous tissue acquisition from the patient's kidney cortex. The specimen undergoes a GMP-compliant manufacturing process that harvests the selected renal cells composed of progenitors for renal repair, followed by image-guided locoregional reinjection into the patient's renal cortex. Participants receive 2 doses at 6-month intervals. Primary outcomes are stable renal function and stable/improved quality of life. Additional exploratory endpoints include the impact of REACT on blood pressure, vitamin D levels, hemoglobin, hematocrit and kidney volume by MRI analysis.

RESULTS

Four men and 1 woman were enrolled and underwent 5 cell injections. Their characteristics were as follows: mean 52.8 years (SD 17.7 years), 1 Hispanic, 4 non-Hispanic, and 5 white. There were no renal tissue acquisition, cell injection, or cell product-related complications at baseline.

CONCLUSION

REACT is demonstrating feasibility and patient safety in preliminary analysis. Autologous cell therapy treatment has the potential to stabilize or improve renal function in CAKUT-associated CKD to delay or avert dialysis. Patient enrollment and follow-up are underway.