Rapid decline in kidney function is associated with rapid deterioration of health-related quality of life in chronic kidney disease.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) according to decline in kidney function. HRQOL was assessed using the Short Form-36 questionnaire composed of a physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Rapid decline in kidney function was defined as a decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of > 3 mL/min/1.73 m/year. Rapid deterioration of HRQOL was defined a change in the HRQOL value greater than the median. Among 970 patients, 360 (37.1%) were in the rapid kidney function decline group. In 720 patients who were 1:1 propensity score-matched, the baseline eGFR was not significantly different between the non-rapid and rapid kidney function decline groups. Compared with the baseline PCS score, the 5-year PCS score decreased in the non-rapid and rapid kidney function decline groups. The 5-year MCS score significantly decreased in the rapid kidney function decline group alone. Rapid decline in kidney function was significantly associated with rapid deterioration of the PCS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.05; P = 0.018) and MCS (OR: 1.89; 95% CI 1.36-2.62; P < 0.001) scores. Rapid decline in kidney function was associated with rapid deterioration of HRQOL in patients with CKD.