Quality of life and improvement of laboratory parameters as an outcome of an interdisciplinary approach to the care of patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary team-based care (MDC) of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) before the beginning of the renal replacement therapy may improve their quality of life. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the impact of MDC on the quality of life patients with CKD not yet on dialysis. METHODS: Seventy five patients treated by MDC (n = 50) or by standard medical care (n = 25) were evaluated at the beginning and after one year of follow-up. Quality of life was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire 36 - Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Clinical and laboratory parameters were obtained from the patients' charts. RESULTS: After 1-year of follow-up, the patients in MDC improved the following dimensions of the SF-36: functional capacity, physical features, general health, vitality and mood. On the other hand, the control group did not improve any dimension in quality of life. At the end of the study, the patients followed by the MDC lost body weight and showed statistically significant increases in hemoglobin and calcium plasma levels, when compared to control group. DISCUSSION: Our results showed that, compared to the standard medical care, the MDC contributed to achieve a better quality of life and clinical control in patients with CKD not yet on dialysis.