Health-Related Quality of Life Profiles in Dialyzed Patients With Varying Health Literacy. A Cross-Sectional Study on Slovak Haemodialyzed Population.

Ivana Skoumalova,Daniel Klein,Andrea Madarasova Geckova,Maria Majernikova,Jaroslav Rosenberger,Peter Kolarcik,Sijmen A Reijneveld,Andrea F De Winter,Jitse P Van Dijk

doi:10.3389/ijph.2021.585801

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) strongly affects patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mostly in the advanced stages of CKD. Health literacy (HL) may affect this association, in particular for some aspects of HRQoL. The aim of this study is to compare the profiles of HRQoL in dialyzed patients with varying HL. Methods: We obtained data on HL using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and on HRQoL using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life – Short Form (KDQoL-SF 1.3) in a multicentre cross-sectional study in 20 dialysis clinics in Slovakia (n = 542; mean age = 63.6 years; males: 60.7%). We compared HRQoL for three HL groups using ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Patients with low HL reported worse HRQoL than patients with moderate and high HL. The greatest differences between HL groups were found in the scales Effect of kidney disease, Cognitive function, Quality of social interaction, Social support, Dialysis staff encouragement, Patient satisfaction, Physical functioning, Pain, Emotional well-being and Social function. p-values in all cases were <0.001. Conclusion: Patients with low HL have a worse HRQoL in several domains than patients with a higher HL. Increasing HL capacities and better supporting patients with low HL should thus be given priority to support their HRQoL and at least maintain its level.

Highlights

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem that causes a large share of cardiovascular and allcause mortality and morbidity worldwide [1,2,3]
CKD is without symptoms until it has progressed to later stages, especially to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) when dialysis or renal replacement is needed to maintain a patient’s life [6]
We found health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to differ between the three health literacy (HL) groups in 15 out of the 19 HRQoL scales (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem that causes a large share of cardiovascular and allcause mortality and morbidity worldwide [1,2,3]. CKD represents a great burden for the health care system and for public expenditures, as well [4, 5]. CKD is without symptoms until it has progressed to later stages, especially to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) when dialysis or renal replacement is needed to maintain a patient’s life [6]. In this stage, the disease affects patient’s life considerably including the patient’s physical functioning, mental health and his/her social life. Maintaining a good quality of life is an important part of treatment for CKD patients

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Discussion

Conclusion