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Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO222

Quality of Life in CKD Patients with Hyperkalemia in the US: Results from the KDQOL-36

Session Information

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

  • 1902 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials

Authors

  • Grandy, Susan, Astrazeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
  • Jackson, James, Adelphi Real World, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
  • Qin, Lei, Astrazeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
  • Moon, Rebecca, Adelphi Real World, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
  • Scott, Megan, Adelphi Real World, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
  • Palaka, Eirini, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Background

Hyperkalemia (HK), defined as abnormally high serum potassium (K+ >5mmol/L), is common among patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and is associated with increased risk of mortality and hospitalization. Over 6% of CKD patients in the US have HK, four times the corresponding rates in the general US population. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument (KDQOL) is a 36-item survey specifically targeting concerns of individuals with CKD, to identify the disease burden on quality of life (QoL). Limited real-world data exist on the impact of HK on the QoL of CKD patients in the US. While low K+ diet is key for HK management, the established poor dietary habits of the US population together with the lack of universal health coverage and limited social support increase the importance of better understanding the impact of HK on the QoL of US CKD patients.

Methods

Real-world data of unique CKD non-dialysis (ND) patients from the 2015 and 2018 US Adelphi CKD Disease Specific Programmes were pooled and analyzed. Patients completed the KDQOL questionnaire, while physicians reported information on patient demographics, disease characteristics and comorbidities. Patients with and without HK (normal K+ 3.5-5.0 mmol/L) were compared. The association between HK and QoL was measured using multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, eGFR level, and presence of heart failure and diabetes.

Results

Based on the results from US CKD ND patients with HK (n=64) and without HK (n=312), HK patients had significantly lower QoL scores across four of the five KDQOL domains, compared to those without HK: burden of kidney disease (54.4 vs. 66.0; p=0.023), effects of kidney disease (69.7 vs. 80.2; p=0.010), physical health (38.7 vs. 42.2; p=0.020) and mental health (44.8 vs. 48.9; p=0.018). US patients with HK also had a lower score on the fifth symptoms/problems domain compared to those without HK, without this difference being statistically significant (83.2 vs. 85.2; p=0.455).

Conclusion

CKD ND patients with HK in the US experienced a greater negative impact on their QoL compared to patients without HK, as they experienced higher disease burden, and a greater physical and mental impact. Effective management of K+ levels has the potential to maintain or improve QoL in this patient population.

Funding

  • Commercial Support –