Abstract: SA-PO045
Sex, Gender, and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis
Session Information
- Diversity and Equity: Other Research
November 04, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
- 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
Authors
- Riehl-Tonn, Victoria J., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- MacRae, Jennifer M., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Dumanski, Sandi M., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Elliott, Meghan J., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Pannu, Neesh I., University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Schick-Makaroff, Kara, University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Drall, Kelsea, University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Norris, Colleen M., University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Behlouli, Hassan, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Ahmed, Sofia B., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Background
Women with kidney failure treated with hemodialysis (HD) report lower quality of life (QoL) compared to men. Decreasing HD frequency is a potential strategy to improve QoL but may result in undertreatment of females compared to males due to biological differences in body water distribution.
Methods
Individuals initiating HD in Alberta, Canada were recruited. Sex assigned at birth (SAAB) and gender identity were self-reported and gender score, a measure of social expectations and norms typically associated to a given gender, was calculated using the GENESIS-PRAXY scale. The primary outcomes were the change in Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 physical (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS) at 3 months, validated markers of mortality, stratified by HD dose (3 vs 2 sessions/week). The associations between SAAB, gender score and change in PCS and MCS by HD dose were measured using non-parametric test and multiple linear regression, respectively.
Results
There were 33 participants on 3x/wk HD (14 female, 19 male) and 27 on 2x/wk (12 female, 15 male). PCS increased with 3x/wk (p=0.010) but not 2x/wk (p=0.521) in females, but no differences were observed in MCS. No changes were observed in PCS or MCS in males, irrespective of HD dose. Gender score was positively associated with change MCS on 2x/wk HD (p=0.049) but not 3x/wk HD (p=0.102). While gender score was not associated with change in PCS, HD dose modified the relationship (p=0.035).
Conclusion
Higher HD dose was associated with improved physical health in females, but lower HD dose was associated with improved mental health in participants with roles traditionally ascribed to women.