Abstract: FR-PO1032
Global Profiles of Quality of Life by Age in Patients on Prevalent Dialysis: A Global Report by ApolloDialDb Initiative
Session Information
- Hemodialysis: Clinical Challenges, Patient-Centered Outcomes, and Quality of Life
October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Authors
- Aloi, Samuele, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Wolf, Melanie, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Jiao, Yue, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Croft, Kaitlyn Renee, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Zimbelman, Justin, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Van Zandt, Carly R., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Singh, Kanti, Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Inc, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
- Usvyat, Len A., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Hugh-Jones, Charles, Fresenius Medical Care AG, Bad Homburg, HE, Germany
- Larkin, John W., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
Background
Health-related quality of life (QOL) is a key patient-centered outcome in dialysis. The KDQoL-36 is a validated QOL survey that assesses physical, mental, and kidney disease specific domains. Differences across age groups remain unclear and were evaluated using the global dialysis database ApolloDialDb™.
Methods
ApolloDialDb includes real-world dialysis care data from adult patients with end-stage renal disease (version 2.0; 2018–2024). Patients with ≥1 KDQoL questionnaire during their first prevalent year (180–545 days after dialysis initiation) were included; multiple scores were averaged. Patients were grouped by age categories. Median KDQoL-36 domain scores - Physical Component Summary (PCS), Mental Component Summary (MCS), Burden of Kidney Disease (BKD), Symptoms/Problems of Kidney Disease (SPKD), and Effects of Kidney Disease (EKD) - were assessed by age group.
Results
Data from 220,029 dialysis patients were analyzed (Figure 1), with a predominance of data representing North America (96%). Median PCS scores were found to decrease with older age, while MCS scores were found to increase with older age. BKD scores were about 6 points lower in patients 18-44 years old than all other age groups. SPKD scores were consistent across all age groups. EKD scores were ≥3 points higher in patients above 65 years old versus younger patients.
Conclusion
The age of dialysis patients appears to influence their health-related QOL. Older age is associated with lower QOL related to physical health and higher QOL related to mental health. The burden of kidney disease was greater in young adults than in those 45 years or older. The symptoms of kidney disease were not related to age. Patients 65 years and older appeared to be less impacted by the effects of kidney disease. These findings act as a benchmark of KDQOL-36 scores in prevalent dialysis.