Health-related quality of life in adults after pediatric kidney failure in Switzerland

Background Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults after kidney failure during childhood. In this study, we analyzed HRQoL of adults after pediatric kidney failure in Switzerland and investigated socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL. Methods In this cohort study, we sent questionnaires to 143 eligible patients registered in the Swiss Pediatric Renal Registry with continuous kidney replacement therapy starting before the age of 18 years. We assessed HRQoL using the Short-Form 36 version 1, compared HRQoL scores between our sample and the Swiss general population, and used linear regression models to examine socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL. Results We included 79 patients (response rate 55%) with a mean age of 38.6 years (range 19.4-63.1). Compared to the general population, HRQoL scores were lower for physical functioning (- 12.43, p < 0.001), role physical (- 13.85, p = 0.001), general health (- 14.42, p < 0.001), vitality (- 4.98, p = 0.035), and physical HRQoL (- 6.11, p < 0.001), but we found no difference in mental HRQoL (- 0.13, p = 0.932). The socio-demographic factors-lower education, unemployment, and not being in a relationship-were associated with lower HRQoL. The only clinical factor associated with HRQoL was the type of kidney disease. Patients with acquired kidney diseases had lower mental HRQoL than patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (- 11.4, p = 0.007) or monogenetic hereditary diseases (- 9.5, p = 0.018). Conclusions Adults after pediatric kidney failure in Switzerland have lower physical, but similar mental HRQoL compared to the general population. Subgroups may require special attention with regard to their HRQoL.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults after pediatric kidney failure in Switzerland and identified socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL. The findings showed that adults after pediatric kidney failure have lower physical HRQoL compared to the general population, but similar mental HRQoL. Lower education, unemployment, and being single were associated with lower HRQoL, while the type of kidney disease was also a significant factor.