Self-reported Physical Function Decline and Mortality in Older Adults Receiving Hemodialysis

Timely recognition of functional decline in older adults receiving dialysis will allow clinicians to pursue interventions to prevent further disability and/or lead patient-centered goals of care discussions. Annual change in the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) physical component score (PCS) could identify patients with functional decline. Our objectives were to assess SF-12 PCS change over a year, risk factors associated with SF-12 PCS change, and the association of SF-12 PCS change with mortality in a survivor cohort of older adults receiving dialysis.

Retrospective study.

1,371 adults 65 years or older receiving hemodialysis for 6 or more months who completed SF-12 PCSs 300 or more days apart from 2012 to 2013.

Serum albumin level; hemodialysis access type; SF-12 PCS change (for mortality analyses).

SF-12 PCS change and mortality.

Multivariable-adjusted linear regression model; Cox proportional hazards model.

We excluded 24% (n = 801) of our cohort for death before the second SF-12 PCS. Among the 1,371 with sufficient SF-12 PCS data, mean age was 79.9 ± 4.5 years. Average SF-12 PCS change in 1 year was minimal (-0.9 ± 9.6), but 39.3% (n = 539) and 32.2% (n = 442) had clinically relevant SF-12 PCS decline and improvement, respectively. Albumin level and access type were not statistically associated with SF-12 PCS change. SF-12 PCS change was not associated with mortality (adjusted HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96-1.00).

2 time points to assess SF-12 PCS change; covariate assessment only at baseline; survivor bias.

In this cohort of older adults receiving hemodialysis, nearly one-fourth died, while among survivors, it was more common for SF-12 PCS to decline than improve in a year. Annual SF-12 PCS change was not associated with traditional risk factors for functional impairment or mortality risk. Additional research is needed to identify appropriate measures and frequency of assessment for functional decline.