Sex Hormone Status in Women With Chronic Kidney Disease: Survey of Nephrologists’ and Renal Allied Health Care Providers’ Perceptions

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in reproductive-age women is accompanied by menstrual and fertility disorders and premature menopause. Objective: We sought to determine nephrologists’ and allied health care providers’ perceptions on management of sex hormone status in women with CKD. Methods: An anonymous, Internet-based survey was sent to nephrology society members from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technologists (February-November 2015). We assessed reported perceptions and management of sex hormone status in women with CKD. Results: One hundred seventy-five nephrologists (21% response rate) and 121 allied health care providers (30%; 116 nurses, 5 pharmacists) responded. Sixty-eight percent of nephrologists and 46% of allied providers were between the ages of 30 and 50 years, and 38% of nephrologists and 89% of allied workers were female. Ninety-five percent of nephrologists agreed that kidney function impacts sex hormone status, although only a minority of nephrologists reported often discussing fertility (35%, female vs male nephrologists, P =.06) and menstrual irregularities with their patients (15%, female vs male nephrologists,P =.02). Transplant nephrologists reported discussing fertility more often than did nontransplant nephrologists (53% vs 30%, P =.03). Physicians were more likely to report discussing fertility (33% vs 7.5%, P