Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global health issue characterized by a gradual decline in kidney function, often leading to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite CKD affecting 8-16% of the global population, limited research exists on HRQoL predictors and targeted interventions.

Purpose

This study evaluates HRQoL among CKD patients, focusing on the impact of disease stage, co-morbidities and treatment modalities using the KDQOL-SF 1.3 instrument.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August 2023 to January 2024, including 150 CKD patients at Vivekananda General Hospital, India. Patients were categorized based on CKD stages and treatment types.

Results

CKD significantly reduced HRQoL, with pronounced declines in PCS (mean: 37.14±6.09) and MCS (mean: 35.42±7.29). BKD exhibited the poorest scores, particularly in advanced stages (mean: 17.19 in ESRD). Dialysis patients reported higher scores in mental health (MCS: 35.59±7.43) and socio-psychological domains (SPKD: 46.35±16.81) compared to non-dialysis patients. Alcohol consumption correlated significantly with EKD (p=0.027), indicating its role in disease progression. Correlations between clinical domains revealed significant interactions, particularly between BKD, EKD and MCS.

Conclusion

CKD profoundly impacts HRQoL, with the BKD domain being most adversely affected. HRQoL deterioration correlates with disease progression, emphasizing the need for holistic interventions targeting physical, mental and socio-psychological aspects. These findings underscore the importance of tailored strategies to improve HRQoL, particularly in advanced CKD stages.