Health Problems in Kidney Disease Patients Associated With Poor Quality of Life

A study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) says that kidney disease patients with poor quality of life are at increased risk of experiencing progression of their disease and of developing heart problems. The findings suggest that quality of life measurements may have important prognostic value in these individuals.

Approximately 60 million people globally have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Quality of life has been well-studied in patients with end-stage kidney disease, but not in patients with CKD who do not yet require dialysis. To gain a better understanding of quality of life among such patients, Anna Porter, MD (University of Illinois at Chicago) and her colleagues studied1091 African Americans with hypertensive CKD enrolled in the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension Trial and Cohort Studies. The researchers assessed health-related quality of life, including mental and physical health, through surveys.

During approximately 10 years of follow-up, lower physical and mental health scores were linked with increased risks of experiencing cardiovascular events or dying from heart-related causes as well as with experiencing progression of CKD or dying from kidney-related causes.

"Quality of life is extremely important to patients and is impacted by kidney disease," said Dr. Porter. "In order to better serve our patients, physicians need to gain a better understanding of the negative impact that kidney disease has on quality of life, and to recognize the association between quality of life and other outcomes."

Study co-authors include Michael Fischer, MD, Xuelei Wang, Deborah Brooks, Marino Bruce, PhD, Jeanne Charleston, William Cleveland, MD, Donna Dowie, MD, Marquetta Faulkner, MD, Jennifer Gassman, PhD, Leena Hiremath, PhD, Cindy Kendrick, John W. Kusek, PhD, Keith C. Norris, MD, Denyse Thornley-Brown, MD, Tom Greene, PhD, and James Lash, MD.

Disclosures: Keith Norris has consulted with Amgen, Pfizer, Merck, King Pharmaceuticals and Abbott; received grants from NIH and King Pharmaceuticals; and received honoraria from Amgen. His co-authors reported no financial disclosures.

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The article, entitled "Quality of Life and Outcomes in African Americans with CKD," will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on April 3, 2014.

The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Founded in 1966, and with more than 14,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

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