Evaluation of health-related quality of life in cats with chronic kidney disease

ObjectivesThe 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.MethodsCaregivers 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.ResultsData 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) (<i>P</i> <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) (<i>P</i> = 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) (<i>P</i> = 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) (<i>P</i> = 0.005), and haematocrit was positively correlated with EWB (<i>P</i> = 0.005, <i>r</i> = 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) (<i>P</i> = 0.001). Cats with constipation had lower median comfort scores 29.5 (range 21.2-59.5) (<i>P</i> = 0.0003) and lower median EWB scores (22, range 1.6-58.8) (<i>P</i> = 0.008) than those without (comfort: 37.1, range 25.3-59.6; EWB: 47.9, range 11.2-58.8).Conclusions and relevanceCats with CKD have decreased HRQoL. Several modifiable clinical factors are associated with this decreased HRQoL.