The humanistic burden of immunoglobulin A nephropathy on patients and care-partners in the United States.

PURPOSE

This cross-sectional survey study quantified the humanistic burden of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), in terms of physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity, among adults with primary IgAN and their care-partners.

METHODS

HRQoL was assessed (01/31/22 - 05/31/23) with validated tools including the KDQoL-36 (with SF-12), GAD-7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), and WPAI: SHP (work productivity). Participant characteristics and total/domain scores were summarized; selected outcomes were compared to an external, kidney disease-free cohort.

RESULTS

117 adults with IgAN and their care-partner pairs, and one adult without a care-partner, were included. The mean ages of patients and care-partners were 38.0 (SD: 8.6) and 40.2 (11.8) years, respectively; 55.9% and 43.6% were female. Mean physical and mental SF-12 scores for patients were 46.7 (SD: 8.0) and 41.9 (9.2), respectively, and 50.7 (7.3) and 43.7 (10.24) for care-partners. Both SF-12 components for patients, and the mental component for care-givers, were significantly worse compared to the US general population. Among patients, 27.1% had moderate/severe anxiety and 49.2% reported at least moderate depression. Compared to external controls, patients experienced significantly higher severity of anxiety (6.6 vs. 5.4) and depression (8.1 vs. 6.6; both p < 0.0001). Among care-partners, 13.7% experienced moderate anxiety and 37.8% experienced moderate/moderately-severe depression. Among employed individuals, both groups reported IgAN-related absenteeism (8.8-9.4%), presenteeism (25.1-25.9%), and overall work impairment (30.4-30.5%).

CONCLUSION

US adults with IgAN and their care partners experience impairments to mental and physical HRQoL and heightened levels of depression and anxiety, underscoring the need for effective IgAN therapies and care-partner support.