Health-Related Quality of Life according to Renal Function: Results from a Nationwide Health Interview and Examination Survey

Background: Most studies on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) focus on patients with end-stage kidney disease although they represent a small proportion of patients with CKD. We aimed to analyze HRQoL according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) categories in a population-based sample of adults living in Germany. Methods: Data from the German health interview and examination survey conducted from 2008 to 2011 were used. Participants with valid interview and examination data aged 40–79 years were included (n = 5,159). Serum creatinine levels were used to calculate estimated GFR via the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. We classified kidney function in GFR categories according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Initiative (KDIGO) guidelines on CKD: G1 (high): ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2, G2 (normal): 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2, G3a (mildly decreased): 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m2, G3b (moderately decreased): 30–44 mL/min/1.73 m2, G4/5 (severely decreased/end-stage kidney disease):