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Abstract: TH-PO799

Lower Functional Status and Perceived Health Status Are Associated With Poorer Quality of Life in Older People With ESKD

Session Information

Category: Geriatric Nephrology

  • 1200 Geriatric Nephrology

Authors

  • Thind, Amarpreet Kaur, Imperial College London, London, London, United Kingdom
  • Willicombe, Michelle, Imperial College London, London, London, United Kingdom
  • Brown, Edwina A., Hammersmith Hospital, London, London, United Kingdom

Group or Team Name

  • KTOP Study Investigator Group
Background

Frailty is under-recognised in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) including in those eligible for transplantation. Understanding which frailty components are associated with quality of life outcomes (QoL) allows for focused intervention and counselling of older people with ESKD.

Methods

The Kidney Transplantation in Older People: impact of frailty on outcomes (KTOP) study explores frailty, cognition, and QoL changes in older people (≥60) whilst waiting for and after a transplant. Frailty was assessed using the Edmonton Frailty Scale which gives total scores and scores for different frailty components. We present QoL scores from 5 measures at recruitment, their variation by frailty status, and their association with frailty components.

Results

210 patients have been recruited; 118(63.4%) were identified as not frail, 38(20.4%) were vulnerable, and 30(16.2%) were frail. Frailty and QoL scores were available for 164-167 patients. Progressively lower QoL scores in all measures were observed in the vulnerable and frail groups (figure 1, p<0.0001). Table 1 shows the association between frailty components and QOL scores (p<0.05 on adjusted linear regression). Poor functional status and general health status were associated with lower QoL scores across all measures.

Conclusion

Frailty and vulnerability to frailty is not uncommon in older people considered eligible for transplantation and is associated with worsening reported QoL. Functional dependence and general health status were associated with poorer QoL scores throughout all questionnaires. This is invaluable for giving a holistic depiction of ESKD in older people and allows for more targeted management.