A study appearing in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) found chronic kidney disease (CKD) can significantly lessen patients' quality of life. Certain types of patients, including women, diabetics and individuals with a history of heart problems, are most affected. The findings show medical care for CKD patients should include a plan to lessen the negative impact of CKD on quality of life.
 
Researchers administered questionnaires on health-related quality of life to 1,186 CKD patients at six month intervals. They found health-related quality of life scores declined progressively with more advanced stages of CKD. Female gender, the presence of diabetes and a history of heart problems (such as congestive heart failure or heart attack) were associated with reduced health-related quality of life. Anemia and the use of heart medications called beta blockers were also associated with lower scores.

This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.