Exploring factors associated with Kidney Disease Quality of Life in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: the Reach-J CKD cohort study.

Background: Although several studies have examined the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the factors associated with kidney-related symptoms have not been fully explored.

Methods: This nationwide multicenter cohort study enrolled 2248 patients. To identify the factors associated with each item or the three KDQOL domains, such as burden of kidney disease, symptoms/problems of kidney disease, and impact of kidney disease on daily life, multiple regression analysis was performed using baseline data.

Results: The study population had a mean age of 69.1 ± 12.6 years, comprised 64.7% men, and had mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 23.2 ± 10.4 mL/min/1.73 m². Mean serum creatinine levels were 1.4 ± 0.2, 2.3 ± 0.5, and 4.5 ± 1.5 mg/dL for G3b, G4, and G5, respectively. The mean scores in the three KDQOL domains among CKD stages showed significantly decreasing trends. Of all the 11 symptoms assessed, 6 had scores that significantly decreased as the CKD stage progressed and 9 had scores that significantly decreased as the age category group increased. Multiple regression analysis revealed eGFR as a significantly associated factor for 5 of 11 symptoms. Age, body mass index, and comorbidities were also detected as significant factors for some symptoms.

Conclusions: In addition to eGFR, several factors were associated with symptoms in patients with CKD. Nephrologists need to recognize renal dysfunction-specific symptoms and explore other plausible causes of nonspecific symptoms.