The Relationship between Dialysis Metrics and Patient-Reported Cognition, Fatigue, and Physical Function

Introduction:The impact of achieving hemodialysis laboratory and hemodynamic quality metrics on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is unknown.Objective:To determine if meeting dialysis laboratory quality of care measures is associated with improved PROs.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we measured the relationship between dialysis patients' Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores and commonly used dialysis quality of care measures.Results:PROMIS surveys were administered to 92 dialysis patients. The mean +/- SD scores demonstrated higher fatigue (55.0 +/- 9.8) and lower physical function (37.9 +/- 7.9) but similar cognition (50.3 +/- 10.9) compared to general population normative scores of 50 +/- 10. Dialysis patients meeting Kt/V goals had no better scores than those who did not. Meeting the hemoglobin (Hgb) value of >= 10 g/dL was associated with a lower fatigue score, but no difference in cognitive or physical function scores. Meeting the serum albumin goal of >= 4.0 mg/dL was associated with a higher physical function score but made no difference for cognitive function or fatigue score. As a continuous variable, a higher Hgb was associated with lower reported fatigue (HR -1.74 95%, CI [-3.09, -0.39]), but no other measures were associated with PRO scores when adjusted for demographics and comorbidities.Conclusions:We found little association between measures currently used to assess the quality of dialysis care and PROs. Encouraging improved utilization of PROs and incorporating PROs into quality measurements might give a more robust assessment of quality of care. Future studies should assess the benefits of this approach.