Quality of Life of Children with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Renal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

Introduction: End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is a major health problem. The Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of children with end-stage renal disease influences their future life in terms of autonomy, psychosexual development, and social integration. Objective: To evaluate the HRQOL of children with ESRD according to the modality of renal replacement therapy: Hemodialysis (HD), Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), and Renal Transplant (RT). Population and Methods: Cross-sectional, observational, prospective study that included 79 children between 5 and 17 years of age (mean of 13.3 ± 3.4) diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (with renal replacement therapy). The applied questionnaire was KINDL®. Results: Of the 79 children and adolescents with ESRD, 39 (49.4%) had PD, 21 (26.6%) had HD, and 19 (24.1%) had RT. The total HRQOL for the children with PD was 60.39 ± 7.88; 62 ± 9.71 for HD, and 83.44 ± 9.68 for RT. Conclusion: The patients who underwent RT had higher HRQOL scores compared to their PD and HD peers both in terms of the total score and in all dimensions, while the scores did not differ for the patients on dialysis.