Abstract
This study aimed to create a unique assessment tool to investigate the physical activity levels of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous studies have documented a lack of physical activity within patients living with CKD and patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). Physical activity plays a key role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with CKD are at high risk of developing CVD. Physical inactivity can be considered as a major modifiable risk factor for CVD in CKD patients. In this study 100 patients completed the 20 item questionnaire which produced a total activity score (TAS) and activity loss score for each patient. Bio-chemical markers, haemoglobin, erythropoietin therapy and co-morbidities were documented for each patient. Results were compared against 50 age, sex-matched controls. Results showed a significant difference in TAS between in-centre haemodialysis (ICHD) patients and the healthy control group. A significant difference was also seen with the home haemodialysis (HD) and ICHD patients against the transplant group (TX). Our quick assessment tool identified the ICHD patients as the most physically inactive group within the CKD and RRT population compared to a healthy control group. We therefore recommend that doctors encourage physical activity within this high risk group and start ‘prescribing exercise’ to their patients.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-015-1338-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide recognized public health issue that affects up to 10 % of the UK population
20 patients from the following groups: CKD stages 3–5 not on any form of renal replacement therapy (RRT), home-haemodialysis (HHD), hospital-haemodialysis (ICHD), peritoneal-dialysis (PD) and transplant (TX) patients were asked to fill out the questionnaire
Patients with CKD had been known to the renal service for an average of 51 ± 37.48 months and patients on renal replacement therapy for an average of 49.54 ± 48.73 months
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide recognized public health issue that affects up to 10 % of the UK population. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death within the CKD population, with an inverse relationship between a decreasing kidney function and increasing prevalence of CVD (Weir 2011). Due to the ever increasing incidence levels and lack of awareness of the devastating cardiovascular complications associated with CKD, such as premature death, coronary artery. Inactive patients who have increased their physical activity level have shown both increases in functional status and quality of life (Warburton et al 2006). Physical activity regulates chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction within the cardiovascular system and has shown health benefits seen in diabetes mellitus, cancer prevention, obesity, hypertension, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (Warburton et al 2006; Steffen-Batey et al 2000)
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