Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Health-Related Quality of Life according to Renal Function: Results from a Nationwide Health Interview and
Liv Faulhaber1, Stefan Herget-Rosenthal2, Hannes Jacobs1
1Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
Background:
Most studies on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) focus on patients with end-stage kidney disease although they represent a small proportion of patients with CKD. We aimed to analyze HRQoL according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) categories in a population-based sample of adults living in Germany.
Methods:
Data from the German health interview and examination survey conducted from 2008 to 2011 were used. Participants with valid interview and examination data aged 40-79 years were included (n = 5,159). Serum creatinine levels were used to calculate estimated GFR via the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. We classified kidney function in GFR categories according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Initiative (KDIGO) guidelines on CKD: G1 (high): ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2, G2 (normal): 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m2, G3a (mildly decreased): 45-59 mL/min/1.73 m2, G3b (moderately decreased): 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m2, G4/5 (severely decreased/end-stage kidney disease): <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. HRQoL was evaluated with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Different multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of HRQoL with GFR categories.
Results:
Overall, 5.9% had a GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (corresponding to categories G3a, G3b, and G4/5). Compared to category G2 linear regression showed a decline in physical HRQoL in categories G3a (-2.34, p = 0.004), G3b (-5.37, p = 0.009), and G4/5 (-4.82, p = 0.117). No decline in mental HRQoL was detected with increasing GFR categories. Categories G3a to G4/5 were significantly associated with a low perceived general state of health (G3a: odds ratio [OR] = 2.03, p = 0.001; G3b: OR = 3.01, p = 0.009; G4/5: OR = 8.70, p = 0.016) when compared to category G2.
Conclusion:
In a representative sample of adults living in Germany, both physical HRQoL and the perceived general state of health are already significantly reduced in category G3a.
More Related Videos
08:505/6th Nephrectomy in Combination with High Salt Diet and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition to Induce Chronic Kidney Disease in the Lewis Rat
Published on: July 3, 2013
10:38Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History
Renal Clearance
Renal clearance refers to the volume of plasma cleared of a specific substance, such as creatinine, per unit of time. To measure clearance, urine samples are collected over a 24-hour period during each bladder voiding, followed by a single blood sample at the...