Quality of life in cats with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and integrate these results with clinical data to identify factors associated with decreased HRQoL. Methods Caregivers completed a validated HRQoL tool (VetMetrica) and clinical data (history, laboratory work, physical examination findings, etc) were collected. Vitality, comfort and emotional wellbeing (EWB) scores were compared between groups using non-parametric analyses as appropriate. Results Data from 24 healthy cats and 68 cats with CKD were collected. Cats with CKD had significantly lower median vitality, comfort and EWB scores (vitality: 41.7, range 4.3–64; comfort: 36.1, range 21.2–59.6; EWB: 44.6, range 1.6–58.8) than healthy cats (vitality: 56.5, range 40.7–64; comfort: 59.6, range 34.2–59.6; EWB: 58.7, range 45.1–58.8) ( P <0.0001 for all analyses). Cats with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage 3 and 4 CKD had lower median EWB scores (30.8, range 1.6–54.4) than IRIS stage 1 and 2 CKD (47.3, range 11.2–58.8) ( P = 0.04) and lower vitality scores (38.2, range 4.3–54.0) in comparison with IRIS stage 1 and 2 CKD (43.1, range 12.8–64.0) ( P = 0.04). Cats with anaemia had lower median EWB scores (25.9, range 10.4–54.4) than those without (46.6, range 1.6–58.8) ( P = 0.005), and haematocrit was positively correlated with EWB ( P = 0.005, r = 0.33). Cats with abnormal appetite had lower median EWB scores (29.1, range 1.6–56.7) than cats with normal appetite (48.1, range 11.2–58.8) ( P = 0.001). Cats with constipation had lower median comfort scores 29.5 (range 21.2–59.5) ( P = 0.0003) and lower median EWB scores (22, range 1.6–58.8) ( P = 0.008) than those without (comfort: 37.1, range 25.3–59.6; EWB: 47.9, range 11.2–58.8). Conclusions and relevance Cats with CKD have decreased HRQoL. Several modifiable clinical factors are associated with this decreased HRQoL.