Cross-Sectional Analysis of Physical Function and Quality of Life Among Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in North Central Province, Sri Lanka

Background Chronic kidney disease in the absence of diabetes and hypertension, or CKD with uncertain etiology (CKDu), is prevalent in tropical regions and increasing globally. The prevalence of CKD/CKDu in adults is as high as 15.1% to 22.9% in some districts in Sri Lanka, and research to date has not examined the functional impact of early stage disease. Methods Diagnosed CKD/CKDu patients, not undergoing dialysis, in a high CKDu prevalence area in the North Central Province, Sri Lanka (n = 180), as well as a non-CKD comparison sample (n = 42), completed physical performance assessments and reported measures of health-related quality of life in a cross-sectional study. CKD/CKDu severity wss staged according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI). District-level medical records were used to identify patients and to establish stage of disease and kidney function parameters. Results 63% of CKD/CKDu participants were male, with age 62.25 (+ 9.63) years. In regression models, more advanced CKD/CKDu was associated with greater impact, including significantly lower physical function and poorer health-related quality life beginning at KDOQI stage 3a/b. Conclusions While most research suggests that poor function is evident only in advanced stages of CKD/CKDu, this study demonstrates decrements in physical function and QOL early in the disease and need for early occupational intervention. Trial registration This observational study was not preregistered and was completed as part of a MPhil at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.