About KDQOL Complete

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Interpretation of KDQOL-36 Scores

PCS and MCS scores from the KDQOL-36 or other HRQOL surveys are associated with aggregate hospitalization and mortality for groups of patients—not for individuals. However, on the presumption that scores more than one standard deviation below the mean may signify a degree of health risk that could perhaps be preventable, the patient scoring language in KDQOL Complete is deliberately cautionary for those with lower scores.

Where possible, suggested “tips to feel better” were based on available evidence cited above. Others were based on known contributors to dialysis morbidity and mortality, such as serum albumin levels,[1] interdialytic weight gains,[2] hemodialysis catheters,[3] serum phosphate control,[4] and dialysis dose.[5] Finally, the remaining tips were based on factors known to contribute to health-related quality of life and derive directly from items in the KDQOL-36, such as sexual function, sleep, symptoms, etc.

References

  1. ^ Leon JB, Albert JM, Gilchrist G, Kushner I, Lerner E, Mach S, Majerle A, Porter D, Ricanati E, Sperry L, Sullivan C, Zimmerer J, Sehgal AR. Improving albumin levels among hemodialysis patients: a community-based randomized controlled trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2006 Jul;48(1):28-36
  2. ^ Port FK, Pisoni RL, Bragg-Gresham JL, Satavathum SS, Young EW, Wolfe RA, Held PJ. DOPPS estimates of patient life years attributable to modifiable hemodialysis practices in the United States. Blood Purif. 2004;22(1):175-80
  3. ^ Leon JB, Albert JM, Gilchrist G, Kushner I, Lerner E, Mach S, Majerle A, Porter D, Ricanati E, Sperry L, Sullivan C, Zimmerer J, Sehgal AR. Improving albumin levels among hemodialysis patients: a community-based randomized controlled trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2006 Jul;48(1):28-36
  4. ^ Leon JB, Albert JM, Gilchrist G, Kushner I, Lerner E, Mach S, Majerle A, Porter D, Ricanati E, Sperry L, Sullivan C, Zimmerer J, Sehgal AR. Improving albumin levels among hemodialysis patients: a community-based randomized controlled trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2006 Jul;48(1):28-36
  5. ^ Leon JB, Albert JM, Gilchrist G, Kushner I, Lerner E, Mach S, Majerle A, Porter D, Ricanati E, Sperry L, Sullivan C, Zimmerer J, Sehgal AR. Improving albumin levels among hemodialysis patients: a community-based randomized controlled trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2006 Jul;48(1):28-36