Quality of life in pediatric patients with terminal chronic kidney disease with hemodialysis and ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Introduction: chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem, and more and more children with CKD reach adulthood, requiring renal replacement therapy, which directly affects their quality of life (QoL). Objective: to compare the QoL between pediatric patients with end-stage CKD undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Material and methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out that included patients older than six years with CKD on renal replacement therapy with APD or HD for more than three months. The TECAVNER questionnaire was applied, which is a specific instrument that evaluates QoL in children with CKD. Results: of the total, 38.3% (n = 18) were classified as having good QoL. However, there was no difference between HD and DPA, since the global QoL score had a median of 3.633 and 3.379, respectively (p = 0.136). But, in the domains of physical activity and personal time, HD patients had lower scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: only about a third of pediatric patients with CKD treated with APD or HD have a good QoL, so it seems necessary to implement strategies to improve both their physical and emotional conditions.