Health-related quality of life in renal stone formers: are we improving?

Abstract

Purpose of review Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a multidimensional construct measuring how disease impacts one's life. In the context of nephrolithiasis this is particularly relevant given the active and quiescent phases of the disease which may not correlate with the traditional index of stone free status. Several instruments are now available to objectively measure HRQOL in this population, including the first disease-specific instrument. Therefore, an overview of emerging data on HRQOL is provided that reviews the availability of these tools/instruments and emphasizes patient-centered care and research. Recent findings The common generic instruments used to measure HRQOL in any population (36-Item Short Form health survey and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) and the only disease-specific instrument developed to measure HRQOL in nephrolithiasis (Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire) are described. Emerging evidence suggests that age and sex influence renal stone formers perception of their HRQOL across a range of dimensions. Several other factors also appear to play a role, such as socioeconomic status, but these have yet to be validated in more than one study or population, and postoperative outcomes measured in terms of HRQOL are almost absent from the literature. Summary Physician-centric outcomes, such as stone status, are no longer the only objective and acceptable measures by which to understand the natural history of nephrolithiasis. Patient-centered approaches through the use of HRQOL are slowly emerging in research and clinical care alike. However, they remain largely in their infancy in these spheres.

Measuring quality of life in patients with kidney stone disease: is it the future in endourology?

“…The first report on gender differences in HRQoL utilized SF-36, a nonspecific PROM, and found greater impairment in HRQoL for women compared to men on all domains, although a statistically significant difference was only identified for vitality in the multivariable analysis [26]. This is consistent with later studies, which have also reported a lower HRQoL among women when compared to men [18,[27][28][29]. Using a disease-specific questionnaire, Stern et al showed a reduction in [17].…”

“…Changes of HRQoL from baseline are not therefore measured [15]. The Wisconsin Stone QoL Questionnaire (WISQoL) is the most used KSD-specific PROM in current clinical research [16][17][18][19]. Its validity has been well established [19][20][21].…”

Impact of Cluster Nursing on Nursing on VAS Score and Urinary Function of Patients after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with Pneumatic Lithotripsy (PCNL)

“…The total score was 100, and the higher the score, the better the life ability. Anxiety (SAS) Rating [ 9 ]. Evaluation of patient anxiety, a total of 20 projects, 50 are divided into standard points, patient anxiety degree is negatively correlated with the standard points.…”

Decision-making and improvements in health-related quality of life in patients with kidney stones: comparing surgery versus observation using a mixed methods analysis

“…Patient experiences and patient reported outcome measures have been increasingly recognized as important factors in treatment decisions [6][7][8]. Emerging data show the utility of validated quantitative instruments in demonstrating changes in health-reported quality of life (QoL) before and after treatment [9][10][11][12].…”