No abstract

The study provides support for the reliability and construct validity of the KDQOL-36 scales for assessment of health-related quality of life among dialysis patients.

We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models for KDQOL-36 kidney-targeted items, evaluated model fit with the comparative fit index (CFI; .0.95 indicates good fit) and root-mean-squared error of approximation (RMSEA; ,0.06 indicates good fit), and estimated norms by matching the joint distribution of patient characteristics in the MEI sample to those of the USRDS sample.Results A bifactor CFA model fit the data well (RMSEA=0.046, CFI=0.990), supporting the KSS (a=0.91). Mean dialysis normative scores were PCS=37.8 and MCS=50.9 (scored on a T-score metric); and KSS=73.0, BKD=52.8, SPKD=79.0, and EKD=74.1 (0-100 possible scores). ConclusionsThe KSS is a reliable summary of the KDQOL-36. The United States KDQOL-36 normative facilitate interpretation and incorporation of patient-related outcome measures into kidney disease care.