Being autonomous in dialysis: association with occupational status, social activity level, quality of life, and physical activity level.

Introduction: End-stage kidney disease radically alters the patients' lives. The aim of this pilot study was to describe this impact in patients treated with autonomous dialysis modality in France: Long Nocturnal Hemodialysis (LNHD), Daily Home Hemodialysis (DHHD), Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD), and hemodialysis in a self-care unit (SCHD).

Methods: French voluntary patients (n = 182) treated with an autonomous dialysis modality completed an anonymous e-questionnaire that included items on type of paid employment, voluntary work and leisure activities, and three self-report questionnaires (SONG-Fatigue, RPAQ, and EQ-5D-5L).

Results: Overall, 33% of patients had a remunerated activity, 10% of patients were considered as sedentary and 39.6% reported an important physical activity. The SONG-Fatigue median score was 3 (IQR 2-5). 54%, 89% and 56% of patients did not report any problem with mobility, self-care, and usual activities, respectively. 35% of patients did not complain about pain or discomfort and 59% had no anxiety or depression symptoms. Patients estimated their global health status at 60 (IQ 50-80). Compared to SCHD, the LNHD group had more often a remunerated activity and the DHHD group reported fewer problems with usual activities. The APD and LNHD groups experienced pain more often.

Conclusion: This pilot survey of middle-aged patients with autonomous dialysis showed that dialysis affected their professional status, social activities, fatigue, quality of life and energy expenditure with few differences according to dialysis modality.