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Patient and Care Partner Burden in CKD Patients With and Without Anemia: A US-Based Survey
Steven N Michalopoulos1, Marjolaine Gauthier-Loiselle2, Myrlene Sanon Aigbogun1
1Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc., Princeton, NJ.
Insights
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their care partners face significant burdens, which are notably worsened by anemia. This study highlights the substantial impact of CKD and anemia on quality of life and work productivity for both patients and caregivers.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Caregiver Burden
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly impacts patients and their caregivers.
- Anemia is a common complication of CKD, potentially exacerbating the overall burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and compare the burden experienced by CKD patients and their care partners, with and without anemia.
- To evaluate the impact of CKD and anemia on health-related quality of life and work productivity.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was conducted with adult CKD patients and their care partners in the United States.
- Data were collected on patient/care partner characteristics, care provided/received, quality of life, and work productivity.
- Descriptive statistics were used, comparing outcomes between groups with and without anemia.
Main Results:
- Patients with anemia reported lower quality of life (110.1 vs. 121.6) and greater work productivity impairment (44.9% vs. 35.4%) compared to those without anemia.
- Care partners of patients with anemia provided more weekly hours of care (33.6 vs. 38.0) and reported a higher burden (69.1% vs. 58.8% severe/very severe).
- Both patient and care partner groups experienced substantial time commitments and work productivity impairments.
Conclusions:
- Patients with CKD and their care partners experience a considerable burden.
- The presence of anemia significantly amplifies the negative impact on quality of life, caregiver time, and work productivity.
Rationale & Objective:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a far-reaching impact on both patients and care partners, which can be further compounded by frequent complications such as anemia. This study assessed the burden experienced by patients with CKD and the care partners of patients with CKD, with and without anemia.
Study Design:
Online survey.
Setting & Participants:
Adult patients with CKD and the care partners of adult patients with CKD living in the United States were recruited through the American Association of Kidney Patients and a third-party online panel (January 9, 2020-March 12, 2020).
Outcomes:
Patient and care partner characteristics, care received or provided; health-related quality of life, and work productivity.
Analytical Approach:
Descriptive statistics were reported separately based on the presence or absence of anemia.
Results:
In total, 410 patients (anemia: n=190, no anemia: n=220) and 258 care partners (anemia: n=110, no anemia: n=148) completed the survey. Most patients reported receiving paid or unpaid care because of their health condition (anemia: 58.9%, no anemia: 50.9%), with an overall average of 14.2 and 11.3 h/wk among the anemia and no anemia patients, respectively. The care partners also reported providing numerous hours of care (anemia: 33.6 h/wk, no anemia: 38.0 h/wk), especially care partners living with their care recipient (anemia: 52.6 h/wk, no anemia: 42.8 h/wk). Among the patients, those with anemia reported a numerically lower average health-related quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia score, anemia: 110.1; no anemia: 121.6). Most care partners reported a severe or very severe burden (Burden Scale for Family Caregivers-Short Version score≥15, anemia: 69.1%; no anemia: 58.8%). The work productivity impairment was substantial among employed patients (anemia: 44.9%, no anemia: 35.4%) and employed care partners (anemia: 47.9%, no anemia: 40.7%).
Limitations:
The survey results may have been subject to selection and recall biases; moreover, the observational nature of the study does not allow for causal inferences.
Conclusions:
Patients with CKD and the care partners of patients with CKD experience a considerable burden, especially when anemia is present.
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