Prevalence and management of anemia and impact of treatment burden on health-related quality of life in CKD and dialysis patients

Abstract Background Anemia management in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant challenge to healthcare professionals worldwide. The extensive management of CKD and its complications are directly linked with a substantial treatment burden and it impacts the quality of life. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and management of anemia and to evaluate the treatment burden and its impact on the quality of life in CKD and Dialysis patients. Methodology A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in three different hospitals. Initially, 170 patients were recruited in the study with prior consent taken from them. A face-to-face interview was conducted, and a data collection form was distributed among study participants. Results The prevalence of anemia among CKD (stage 3–5) and dialysis patients was 78.7% and 94.7% respectively at baseline. Dialysis patients used more erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) i.e. 38.6% at baseline and 40.8% at month 6 compared to non-dialysis CKD patients. Dialysis patients had a higher treatment burden compared to CKD at baseline (77.4 ± 10.6 vs 59.3 ± 13.3) and at month 6 visit (79.3 ± 11.1 vs 59.1 ± 14.5). The Multiple regression analysis showed that treatment burden had a significant association with age, duration of disease and presence of comorbidity at baseline. There was a strong negative correlation between overall treatment burden and quality of life. Conclusion Anemia was prevalent and its management was suboptimal in the current study. The overall treatment burden score was high in dialysis patients and negatively affects the quality of life.