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The impact of marital and socioeconomic status on quality of life and physical activity in patients with chronic kidney disease

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Abstract

Purpose

Quality of life (QOL) and physical activity (PA) is reduced in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim was to investigate the impact of marital status and educational level on QOL and PA in patients with CKD including dialysis treatment.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included ambulatory adult patients undergoing dialysis or CKD stage 4–5. Data for marital status, educational level and PA were obtained using the Danish health and Morbidity Survey. QOL was assessed using the Physical Component Scale and the Mental Component Scale scores from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument.

Results

Five hundred twelve participants were included: 316 (62%) were married/had a permanent partner, 119 (23%) had a low level of education, 327 (67%) were physically active. After confounder adjustments (age, sex, treatment), having a permanent partner was associated with greater scores in Mental Component Scale, β 2.88 [CI 95% 0.99; 4.77], p = 0.003, and being physically active in women OR 2.237 [1.231; 4.066], p = 0.008. A high vs low educational level was associated with greater scores in Physical Component Scale (3.79 [1.01; 6.58], p = 0.008) and in Mental Component Scale (3.55 [0.82; 6.28], p = 0.011).

Conclusion

In ambulatory patients with CKD stage 4–5, being married or having a permanent partner and a high educational level had positive impacts on mental QOL. Higher educational level was also associated with better physical QOL. The presented inequality in QOL should be considered in communications, care and treatments in clinical practice.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ziggie J Rifbjerg, Christine Sandbjerg, Lotte Prescott, Gabriel Notkin and Cecilie R Brauner for data collection. The study was financially supported by the Lundbeck Fund and the Danish Kidney Association.

Funding

The study was financially supported by the Lundbeck Fund and the Danish Kidney Association.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands Hospital, Dyrehavevej 29, 3400, Hillerød, Denmark

    Stig Molsted

  2. Department of Medicine, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Nykøbing F. Hospital, Nykøbing Falster, Denmark

    Sofie Wendelboe

  3. Department of Medicine, Amager Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Marius M. Flege

  4. Department of Oncology, Section of Palliative Medicine, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Inge Eidemak

Authors
  1. Stig Molsted
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  2. Sofie Wendelboe
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  3. Marius M. Flege
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  4. Inge Eidemak
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stig Molsted.

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The Data Protection Agency and the local ethical committee (H-6-2014-103) approved the study protocol.

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Molsted, S., Wendelboe, S., Flege, M.M. et al. The impact of marital and socioeconomic status on quality of life and physical activity in patients with chronic kidney disease. Int Urol Nephrol 53, 2577–2582 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-021-02826-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-021-02826-6

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