Shared Decision-Making and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often prioritize their quality of life (QOL) over life extension, especially in advanced stages. Although shared decision-making (SDM) positively influences QOL, evidence on this topic remains limited. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and synthesized evidence from 12 quantitative studies examining the relationship between SDM and QOL in adults with CKD. We found that SDM enhances QOL by promoting patient autonomy and treatment satisfaction, particularly in conservative management. However, QOL benefits for patients on dialysis were inconsistent due to restrictive treatment pathways. Further, barriers such as insufficient provider training and lack of standardized frameworks, hindered the impact of SDM. Overcoming these challenges with tailored strategies, standardized QOL tools, and longitudinal research could improve outcomes for patients with CKD.