Health Related Quality of Life in Adult Patients With Primary Glomerular Diseases

There is a growing need to understand how glomerular diseases impact patients' ability to lead a healthy and productive life. We examined the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with primary glomerular diseases in India.

In a cross-sectional study, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 29v2.1 questionnaire was administered to adults with primary glomerular diseases at the renal clinic. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records. Quality of life domain scores were calculated for physical function, pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression, and ability to participate in social roles and activities. The composite score was derived to reflect the overall HRQoL. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models were run to assess demographic, socio-economic, and clinical predictors of overall and domain-specific quality of life.

Three hundred and one patients were included in the final analysis. 67.2% were male. Edema was present in 16.6% of participants, while 37.2% had recently taken steroids. Female sex (β = -5.3, 95% CI: -7.6 to -3.0, p < 0.001), eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (β = -3.3, 95% CI: -5.6 to -0.96, p = 0.006) and obesity (β = -5.6, 95% CI: -9.5 to -1.8, p = 0.004) were independently associated with worse overall HRQoL and negatively affected most individual domains of HRQoL. Edema and steroid use impacted some individual domains but did not affect overall HRQoL. There was no association with education level and per capita income.

These findings underscore the negative impact of female sex, lower eGFR, body weight, edema, and recent steroid intake on HRQoL in adults with primary glomerular diseases. The implications of these results extend to the optimisation of long-term care for patients by addressing their concerns and priorities.