Study looks at progression of symptoms in people with renal disease

Researchers observed that one-third of persons with varied degrees of chronic renal illness who did not receive dialysis and replied to yearly questionnaires about their symptoms had a “worse symptom score and worsening trajectory” of symptoms. According to CJASN, these individuals were at a particularly high risk of needing dialysis and dying before commencing treatment.
The Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 questionnaire was filled out by 2,787 people in France who had CKD but were not on dialysis for a research led by Moustapha Faye, MD (CHRU Nancy, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar) and colleagues.

98% of participants reported having at least one symptom, with the prevalence of each symptom ranging from 24% (chest pain) to 83%. (fatigue). After a median follow-up of 5.3 years, 690 patients underwent kidney replacement treatment (KRT), such as dialysis, whereas 490 died before starting KRT. The researchers discovered two types of symptom trajectory profiles: a “worse symptom score and worsening trajectory” in 31% of participants, defined by a low initial symptom score that worsened by more than 10 points (on a scale of 0-100) over time, and a “better symptom score and stable trajectory” in 69% of participants, defined by a high initial score that remained stable over time.

Participants in the “Worse symptom score and deteriorating trajectory” group exhibited more risk factors for CKD progression at baseline, a worse quality of life, and a greater likelihood of KRT and mortality before KRT than other participants.
“In addition to the established CKD categories, it is feasible to actively monitor symptoms and classify patients based on their progression. This monitoring should include practitioners as well as patients “Dr. Faye said. “Through active symptom tracking, early therapy actions to assist control various symptoms may be organised.”