Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0051

Quality of Life in Incident Dialysis: A Global Preview

Session Information

• Artificial Intelligence: Clinical Prediction, Decision Support, and Digital Kidney Care
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health, and Data Science

• 300 Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health, and Data Science

Authors

• Croft, Kaitlyn Renee, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Kaitlyn Renee Croft, MSc

• Wolf, Melanie, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Melanie Wolf, MS, MSc

• Jiao, Yue, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Yue Jiao, PhD

• Zimbelman, Justin, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Justin Zimbelman, MBA

• Van Zandt, Carly R., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Carly R. Van Zandt, MS

• Singh, Kanti, Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Inc, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Kanti Singh

• Usvyat, Len A., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Len A. Usvyat, PhD, FASN

• Hugh-Jones, Charles, Fresenius Medical Care AG, Bad Homburg, HE, Germany

Charles Hugh-Jones, MD

• Larkin, John W., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

John W. Larkin, MS, MSc, PhD, FASN

Background

Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36™) questionnaire is a validated survey commonly used to assess the patient’s perception of quality of life (QOL). QOL is a key factor and outcome for dialysis patients and providers. We used version two of ApolloDialDb^TM to assess physical and mental health, effects, symptoms and burden of kidney disease in incident patients.

Methods

ApolloDialDb is a global anonymized dialysis database with longitudinal real-world data from 41 countries, 2018 to 2024. We assessed QOL scores from the KDQOL-36™ questionnaire in the first 180 days of dialysis. QOL domains includes scores on the physical (PCS) and mental (PCS) component, burden (BKD), effects (EKD) and symptoms/problems of kidney disease (SPKD). Scores ranged from 0 (worst) and 100 (best); half of questions per score needed to be answered to be valid. Scores and patient characteristics were stratified by Asia Pacific (AP), Europe (EU), Latin America (LA) and North America (NA).

Results

Overall, 247,490 incident patients with a valid KDQOL-36™ score within 180 days of dialysis were analyzed. Table 1 shows patients were older in EU and younger in AP and LA. Season of the year for the first date of dialysis (FDD) were spread out evenly for AP, LA and NA whereas the EU had majority of patients beginning in the spring and summer. QOL was answered between 95-114 days from the FDD across regions. PCS scores were highest in LA and lowest in NA. MCS scores were higher in LA and NA vs AP and EU. BKD and EKD scores were higher in LA and NA vs AP and EU.

Conclusion

QOL of incident dialysis patients. Physical health burden was larger in NA, while mental health was more of a burden in AP and EU. Kidney disease burden and effects were largest in AP and EU. Overall, LA showed the highest QOL scores in all domains. QOL routinely assessed in kidney care and differed by region. Cultural differences likely influence QOL perception and should be researched further. These findings act as a benchmark of KDQOL-36™ scores in incident dialysis.

Table 1. Patient parameters and KDQOL-36™ scores between world regions.

Funding

• Commercial Support – Fresenius Medical Care