The influence of clinical situation on health-related quality of life in paediatric chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND

Studies examining health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have demonstrated that certain clinical situations such as number of hospitalisations and anaemia can affect patient quality of life. Very few such studies have been carried out in children.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the impact of laboratory variables and various clinical situations on HRQOL of paediatric CKD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We carried out a cross-sectional study using the TECAVNER questionnaire in 71 children with CKD and their parents (33 transplanted patients, 11 on peritoneal dialysis, 5 on haemodialysis, and 22 on conservative treatment). We analysed laboratory variables (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, haematocrit, and albumin), clinical situation (short stature, arterial hypertension, and bone deformities), number of hospitalisations, and days spent in the hospital in the previous 6 months, as well as number of drugs administered and fluids/diet restrictions.

RESULTS

The factor that most heavily affected the quality of life of our patients was water restrictions. In addition, hypertension affected cognitive function in these children. A haematocrit value >35% improved physical activity and functionality. We observed no association between albumin and HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm previous hypotheses and contribute to the validity of the TECAVNER questionnaire.