Anemia negatively impacts quality of life for patients with CKD
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WASHINGTON — Survey results presented at ASN Kidney Week indicated that most patients with chronic kidney disease-related anemia experienced physical symptoms and decreased emotional well-being, but their understanding of the condition varied.
“Anemia is a common complication of CKD that may reduce patients’ quality of life (QoL) and/or require them to seek treatment,” Eirini Palaka, MSc, of AstraZeneca in the United Kingdom, and colleagues wrote in a poster abstract. “The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of U.S. CKD patients with anemia with respect to QoL, disease understanding and management of their anemia.”
Recruiting patients with CKD from online communities and support groups, patient associations and patient referrals, researchers administered an online survey to 500 volunteers with or without anemia (69% were women; mean age, 52.2 years; 68% with CKD stages 3 to 5; 57% with diagnosed anemia).
When considering the entire cohort, researchers found that while most patients were aware of the “key symptoms” associated with anemia (including fatigue [89%] or weakness [70%]), just 38% knew their hemoglobin levels. Of respondents with anemia, 66% had knowledge of the relationship between anemia and CKD.
Regarding QoL for patients with anemia, 82% reported lack of energy and 53% reported feeling sad and/or depressed. In addition, 52% reported pain, 53% reported difficulty sleeping and 63% reported worrying about their anemia worsening.
Responses related to management suggested that most felt their anemia was well-managed. Treatment was primarily done with iron supplements (55%) or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (30%). Fewer than half of patients with anemia reported feeling confident in their knowledge of the potential adverse effects related to treatment.
“These findings emphasize the challenges [health care professionals] HCPs and patients face concerning the need for further education on the association between CKD and anemia, symptoms associated with anemia and the available treatment options for anemia,” the researchers concluded. – by Melissa J. Webb
Reference:
Palaka E, et al. Abstract SA-PO232. Presented at: ASN Kidney Week; Nov. 7-10, 2019; Washington, D.C.
Disclosure: Healio Nephrology could not determine relevant financial disclosures prior to publication.