Abstracts

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a severe public health problem worldwide, leading to millions of deaths every year due to associated clinical complications or no accessibility to available treatments ¹1. International Society of Nephrology; International Federation of Kidney Foundations. World kidney day. https://www.worldkidneyday.org/faqs/chronic-kidney-disease/ckd-disadvantaged-populations (accessed on 28/Mar/2019).
https://www.worldkidneyday.org/faqs/chro... . All over the world, approximately 1.4 million individuals with CKD require renal replacement therapy (RRT), with an annual incidence of approximately 8% ²2. Cass A ,White SL, Chapman JR, Chadban SJ, Jan S. How can we achieve global equity in provision of renal replacement therapy? Bull World Health Organ 2008; 86:229-37..

Although technological advances of the required RRT techniques have contributed to better treatment and survival quality for chronic kidney failur (CKF) patients, high mortality rates remain a major concern ¹1. International Society of Nephrology; International Federation of Kidney Foundations. World kidney day. https://www.worldkidneyday.org/faqs/chronic-kidney-disease/ckd-disadvantaged-populations (accessed on 28/Mar/2019).
https://www.worldkidneyday.org/faqs/chro... . According to the United States Renal Data System, in 2016 mortality rates of CKF patients rose with age, particularly in the elderly ³3. United States Renal Data System. Morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. https://www.usrds.org/2018/view/Default.aspx (accessed on 13/Feb/2019).
https://www.usrds.org/2018/view/Default.... . Regarding RRT modalities, a shorter survival time is observed for dialysis, with lower rates at the first, second and fifth years of treatment, compared to renal transplant (Tx) ⁴4. ERA-EDTA Registry. Annual report 2016. https://www.era-edta-reg.org/index.jsp?p=14 (accessed on 13/Feb/2019).
https://www.era-edta-reg.org/index.jsp?p... . In addition to posing a lower risk of mortality, Tx leads to better clinical and psychological conditions, better quality of life (QoL) and has a lower cost compared to dialysis ⁵5. Álvares J, Cesar CC, Acurcio FA, Andrade EI, Cherchiglia ML. Quality of life of patients in renal replacement therapy in Brazil: comparison of treatment modalitie. Qual Life Res 2012; 21:983-91.^,66. Grincenkov FR, Fernandes N, Pereira BS, Bastos K, Lopes AA, Finkelstein FO, et al. Impacto f baseline health-related quality of life score on survival of incidente patients on peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study. Nephron 2015; 129:97-103.^,77. Broers NJH, Usvyat LA, Kooman JP, van der Sande FM, Lacson Jr E, Kotanko P, et al. Quality of life in dialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study. Nephron 2015; 130:105-12..

Other factors are also related to RRT patients life expectancy. Sociodemographic characteristics, such as male sex, advanced age, and residing in the lowest HDI (Human Development Index) countries, with limited access to healthcare services ⁶6. Grincenkov FR, Fernandes N, Pereira BS, Bastos K, Lopes AA, Finkelstein FO, et al. Impacto f baseline health-related quality of life score on survival of incidente patients on peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study. Nephron 2015; 129:97-103.^,77. Broers NJH, Usvyat LA, Kooman JP, van der Sande FM, Lacson Jr E, Kotanko P, et al. Quality of life in dialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study. Nephron 2015; 130:105-12.^,88. Hecking M, Bieber BA, Ethier J, Kautzky-Willer A, Sunder-Plassmann G, Säemann MD, et al. Sex-specific differences in hemodialysis prevalence and practices and the male-to-female mortality rate: the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). PLoS Med 2014; 11:e1001750.^,99. McDonald SP, Marshall MR, Johnson DW, Polkinghorne KR. Relationship between dialysis modality and mortality. J Am Soc Nephrol 2009; 20:155-63.^,1010. Jaar BG, Coresh J, Plantinga LC, Fink NE, Klag MJ, Levey AS, et al. Comparing the risk for death with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis in a national cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease. Ann Intern Med 2005; 143:174-83.^,1111. Vonesh EF, Snyder JJ, Folley RN, Collins AJ. The differential impact of risk factors on mortality in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Kidney Int 2004; 66:2389-401.^,1212. Sanabria M, Muñoz J, Trillos C, Hernández G, Latorre C, Díaz CS, et al. Dialysis outcomes in Colombia (DOC) study: a comparison of patient survival on peritoneal dialysis vs hemodialysis in Colombia. Kidney Int 2008; (108):S165-72.^,1313. Szuster DAC, Caiaffa WT, Andrade EIG, Acurcio FA, Cherchiglia ML. Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:415-24.^,1414. Villar E, Chang SH, McDonald SP. Incidences, treatments, outcomes, and sex effect on survival in patients with end-stage renal disease by diabetes status in Australia and New Zealand (1991-2005). Diabetes Care 2007; 30:3070-6.^,1515. Villar E, Remontet L, Labeeuw M, Ecochard R. Effect of age, gender, and diabetes on excess death in end-stage renal failure. J Am Soc Nephrol 2007; 18:2125-34.^,1616. Reese PP, Shults J, Bloom RD, Mussell A, Harhay MN, Abt P, et al. Functional status, time to transplantation, and survival benefit of kidney transplantation among wait-listed candidates. Am J Kidney Dis 2015; 66:837-45.^,1717. Molnar-Varga M, Molnar MZ, Szeifert L, Kovacs AZ, Kelemen A, Becze A, et al. Health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes on kidney transplant recipients. Am J Kidney Dis 2011; 58:444-52., were observed as variables associated with short survival. The coexistence of low QoL scores with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and infections has been shown to be a predictor of increased mortality in different patient groups, regardless of RRT ⁶6. Grincenkov FR, Fernandes N, Pereira BS, Bastos K, Lopes AA, Finkelstein FO, et al. Impacto f baseline health-related quality of life score on survival of incidente patients on peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study. Nephron 2015; 129:97-103.^,1818. Maia VHM, Silvano GP, Kock KS, Machado MO. Análise da sobrevida de pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise em Tubarão/SC, Brasil. Rev Bras Pesq Saúde 2016; 18:76-83.^,1919. Silva LAM, Mezzomo NF, Pansard HM, Arantes LC, Rempel W, Argenta LC, et al. Sobrevida em hemodiálise crônica: estudo de uma coorte de 1.009 pacientes em 25 anos. J Bras Nefrol 2009; 31:190-7.^,2020. Von Der Lippe D, Waldum-Grevbo B, Reisaeter AV, Os I. Is HRQOL in dialysis associated with patient survival or graft function after kidney transplantation. BMC Nephrol 2016; 17:94.^,2121. Griva K, Davenport A, Newman SP. Health-related quality of life and long-term survival and graft failure in kidney transplantation: a 12-year follow-up study. Transplantation 2013; 95:740-9..

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in understanding CKF patients survival, not only in favor of better management and more effective care but also for the implementation of precise public health policies. The growing CKF patients population has implications for planning and allocating health expenditures, since the impact of kidney treatment modalities on total health financing is relatively high compared with other diseases ²²22. Cherchiglia ML, Machado EL, Szuster DAC, Andrade EIG, Acúrcio FA, Caiaffa WT, et al. Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes em terapia renal substitutiva no Brasil, 2002-2004. Rev Saúde Pública 2010; 44:639-49.. In Brazil, the growing CKF patients population represents a burden to public budget, since 85% to 95% of therapies are subsidized by the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) ²³23. Sesso RCC, Lopes AA, Thomé FS, Lugon JR, Burdmann EA. Resultados do censo de diálise da SBN, 2008. J Bras Nefrol 2008; 30:233-8.. Thus, several measures are necessary to reduce the economic and social effects triggered by the high prevalence of CKD in dialysis phase. In addition to health promotion and prevention actions carried out in primary care, especially for risk groups, it is necessary to include more effective and comprehensive interventions for patients who are already on RRT, considering this condition’s multiple impacts on the lives of general patients. Knowledge of main QoL and survival determinants can favor better adaptation and coping with the disease and its treatment, in addition to maintaining the patient’s general physical and emotional health and strengthening social and relational bonds.

Internationally, several studies have been conducted to investigate the survival of dialysis patients ⁸8. Hecking M, Bieber BA, Ethier J, Kautzky-Willer A, Sunder-Plassmann G, Säemann MD, et al. Sex-specific differences in hemodialysis prevalence and practices and the male-to-female mortality rate: the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). PLoS Med 2014; 11:e1001750.^,99. McDonald SP, Marshall MR, Johnson DW, Polkinghorne KR. Relationship between dialysis modality and mortality. J Am Soc Nephrol 2009; 20:155-63.^,1010. Jaar BG, Coresh J, Plantinga LC, Fink NE, Klag MJ, Levey AS, et al. Comparing the risk for death with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis in a national cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease. Ann Intern Med 2005; 143:174-83.^,1111. Vonesh EF, Snyder JJ, Folley RN, Collins AJ. The differential impact of risk factors on mortality in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Kidney Int 2004; 66:2389-401.^,1212. Sanabria M, Muñoz J, Trillos C, Hernández G, Latorre C, Díaz CS, et al. Dialysis outcomes in Colombia (DOC) study: a comparison of patient survival on peritoneal dialysis vs hemodialysis in Colombia. Kidney Int 2008; (108):S165-72.^,1313. Szuster DAC, Caiaffa WT, Andrade EIG, Acurcio FA, Cherchiglia ML. Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:415-24.^,1414. Villar E, Chang SH, McDonald SP. Incidences, treatments, outcomes, and sex effect on survival in patients with end-stage renal disease by diabetes status in Australia and New Zealand (1991-2005). Diabetes Care 2007; 30:3070-6.. There is a methodological diversity regarding the study design, sample size and population groups ¹¹11. Vonesh EF, Snyder JJ, Folley RN, Collins AJ. The differential impact of risk factors on mortality in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Kidney Int 2004; 66:2389-401.^,2424. Mazzuchi N, Fernández-Cean JM, Carbonell E. Criteria for selection of ESRD treatment modalities. Kidney Int 2000; 57 Suppl 74:S136-43.^,2525. Davies SJ. Comparing outcomes on peritoneal and hemodialysis: a case study in the interpretation of observational studies. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2007; 18:24-30.. In Brazil, population-based studies assessing the survival of patients on RRT are rare ¹³13. Szuster DAC, Caiaffa WT, Andrade EIG, Acurcio FA, Cherchiglia ML. Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:415-24.^,1919. Silva LAM, Mezzomo NF, Pansard HM, Arantes LC, Rempel W, Argenta LC, et al. Sobrevida em hemodiálise crônica: estudo de uma coorte de 1.009 pacientes em 25 anos. J Bras Nefrol 2009; 31:190-7.^,2626. Sancho LG, Dain S. Análise de custo-efetividade em relação às terapias renais substitutivas: como pensar estudos em relação a essas intervenções no Brasil? Cad Saúde Pública 2008; 24:1279-90.. Most survival studies found in Brazilian literature use secondary data from specific CKF populations and have short follow-up ¹³13. Szuster DAC, Caiaffa WT, Andrade EIG, Acurcio FA, Cherchiglia ML. Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:415-24.^,1818. Maia VHM, Silvano GP, Kock KS, Machado MO. Análise da sobrevida de pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise em Tubarão/SC, Brasil. Rev Bras Pesq Saúde 2016; 18:76-83.^,1919. Silva LAM, Mezzomo NF, Pansard HM, Arantes LC, Rempel W, Argenta LC, et al. Sobrevida em hemodiálise crônica: estudo de uma coorte de 1.009 pacientes em 25 anos. J Bras Nefrol 2009; 31:190-7.^,2727. D'Ávila R, Guerra EMM, Rodrigues CIS, Fernandes FA, Cadaval RAM, Almeida FA. Sobrevida de pacientes renais crônicos em diálise peritoneal e hemodiálise. J Bras Nefrol 1999; 21:13-21.^,2828. Teixeira FIR, Lopes MLH, Silva GAS, Santos RF. Sobrevida de pacientes em hemodiálise em um hospital universitário. J Bras Nefrol 2015; 37:64-71.^,2929. Matos ACC, Sardenberg C, Carvalho COM, Rangel EB, Andreoli CC, Oliveira M, et al. Índice de doenças coexistentes e idade avançada como preditores de sobrevida em pacientes em diálise. Einstein (São Paulo) 2007; 5:239-45.^,3030. Chaves LDP, Anselmi ML, Barbeira CBS, Hayashida M. Estudo da sobrevida de pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise e estimativa de gastos no município de Ribeirão Preto-SP. Rev Esc Enferm USP 2002; 36:193-9.. To enhance causal inference capacity and results generalization, we need longitudinal studies with Brazilian population representative samples and follow-up durations long enough to capture sufficient events. A better understanding of the factors associated with the mortality of CRF patients undergoing treatment at SUS - an universal, public and free health system - can allow us to develop actions aiming health care improvement, as well as contributing to current scientific knowledge. Thus, this study sought to identify the main factors associated with mortality in different treatment periods, in a prospective cohort of CKF patients who initiated dialysis therapy at SUS.

Methods

Study design and setting

A longitudinal, 9-year follow-up study (January 2008 to May 2017) was conducted in a RRT patients cohort from twelve dialysis units of the public health system in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil ³¹31. Machado EL, Gomes IC, Acurcio FA, César CC, Almeida MCM, Cherchiglia ML. Fatores associados ao tempo de espera e ao acesso ao transplante renal em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:2315-26.^,3232. Brito DCS, Machado EL, Reis IA, Moreira DP, Nébias THM, Cherchiglia ML. Modality transition on renal replacement therapy and quality of life of patients: a 10-year follow-up cohort study. Qual Life Res 2019; 28:1485-95. (Figure 1). The Research Ethics Committee of the Minas Gerais Federal University (UFMG) approved the research protocol (decisions 397/2006 and 1.747.336/2016), and all participants signed an Informed Consent Form.

Population

The initial cohort included all patients who matched the eligibility criteria (Figure 1). The exclusion criteria are also presented in Figure 1. Based on medical records of the dialysis units, all patients who met the inclusion criteria were contacted by the interviewers and invited to participate. Out of 2,386 patients assessed for eligibility, 748 were considered eligible for the survey, 36 refused to participate, and the final sample comprised 712 participants.

Follow-up

Data were collected between January and April 2008 through interviews conducted during dialysis sessions. Mortality data were collected in the medical records and by consulting the Mortality Information System. Survival time was calculated from the date of the interview. Three different follow-up intervals were used for the survival analysis: 1-year, 5-year and 9-year follow-up.

Variables and measures

Box 1 presents a list of the variables used in this study. The data were obtained through a structured interview and by consulting medical records at the participating units.

(1) The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to assess the severity of comorbidity. This index comprises 19 comorbidity conditions, with scores varying from 1 to 6. The higher the total score, the more severe the clinical condition ³³33. Charlson ME, Pompei P, Ales KL, MacKenzie CR. A new method of classifying prognostic comorbidity in longitudinal studies: development and validation. J Chron Dis 1987; 40:373-83.. The included comorbidities, as well as their scores, are presented in Box 1.

(2) The nutritional status (nourished, suspected malnutrition and severe malnutrition) was assessed using the Global Subjective Assessment (GSA) method, which is based on the clinical and physical history of the patient ³⁴34. Detsky AS, McLaughlin JR, Baker JP, Johnston N, Whittaker S, Mendelson RA, et al. What is subjective global assessment of nutritional status? J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1987; 11:8-13.. This assessment addresses several aspects related to the patient´s general nutritional status, such as weight loss in the last six months, changes in food intake, presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite) and functional capacity, with good diagnostic accuracy ³⁵35. Barbosa-Silva MCG, Barros AJD. Avaliação nutricional subjetiva: parte 1 - Revisão da sua validade após duas décadas de uso. Arq Gastroenterol 2002; 39:181-7..

(3) Quality of life (QoL) was measured by the validated Portuguese version of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) ³⁶36. Ciconelli RM, Ferraz MB, Santos W, Meinão I, Quaresma MR. Brazilian-Portuguese version of the SF-36: a reliable and valid quality of life outcome measure. Rev Bras Reumatol 1999; 39:143-50.^,3737. Wight JP, Edwards L, Brazier J, Walters S, Payne JN, Brown CB. The SF-36 as an outcome measure of services for end stage renal failure. Qual Health Care 1998; 7:209-21.^,3838. Neto JF, Ferraz MB, Cendoroglo M, Draibe S, Yu L, Sesso R. Quality of life at initiation of maintenance dialysis treatment - a comparison between the SF-36 and the KDQ questionnaires. Qual Life Res 2000; 9:1001-107.. The SF-36 is a tool that assesses general health status and QoL based on eight scales and two measures (Box 1). Scores range from 0 to 100, and scores nearest to 100 indicate higher QoL.

Statistical analysis

The patients’ characteristics were described as frequencies for the categorical variables and as mean and standard deviation for the quantitative variables, if the normality assumption was considered valid; otherwise, median and interquartile range were used. The differences between survivor and non-survivor groups were analyzed using the unpaired Student’s t test and the Mann-Whitney test to compare normally and not normally distributed quantitative variables, respectively, and the chi-squared test was used for categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazard models to assess the influence of sociodemographic variables, type of treatment (transplant or no) and QoL, on the risk of mortality. The models were adjusted for sex, age and time on dialysis before the interview. All variables with significance p < 0.20 in the Cox univariate regression were tested in the multivariate model, and only those with significance of p < 0.05 remained in the final model. The assumption of proportional hazards was tested by adjusting the model with a time-dependent variable. The SPSS version 6.0 (https://www.ibm.com/) was used for analyses.

Results

Sample characteristics: of 712 initial participants, 4 patients (0.5%) recovered renal function, 38 (5.3%) were considered lost to follow-up due to moving from the city or not being found, and the remaining 670 were analyzed (Figure 1). Regarding mortality data, 51 (7.6%) patients died in the first year of follow-up, 264 (34.5%) died up to the fifth year, and 129 (18.1%) died up to the ninth years, totaling 444 (62.3%) deaths throughout the follow-up period. The baseline characteristics of the study population are displayed in Table 1. The mean age of the sample was 53.9±15.2 years, and most were male, married or in de facto relationships, had up to 9 years of schooling, and their main source of income was government allowances. Regarding the clinical aspects, 78.7% were well nourished, and the main diseases related to the CCI were diabetes, congestive heart failure and chronic pulmonary disease. The comparison between the survivor and non-survivor groups differed in the following aspects: age (p < 0.01), schooling (p < 0.01), presence in the labor market (p < 0.01), social activities (p = 0.02) and recreational activities (p < 0.01). Regarding the clinical variables and type of treatment, differences were also observed between the groups, and the survivors who were more likely to receive a Tx (p < 0.01), remained on dialysis for less time (p < 0.01), had a smaller CCI score (p < 0.01) and had better nutritional status (p < 0.01). Moreover, the survivors showed better QoL in the physical component (p < 0.01) and in the scales physical functioning (p < 0.01), role physical (p < 0.01), bodily pain (p = 0.01) and social functioning (p < 0.01).

After one-year follow-up, the results of Cox univariate regression analysis showed survival associated factors were: Tx (HR = 27.185, 95%CI: 1.185; 63.43), physical components (HR = 0.962; 95%CI: 0.935; 0.990) and the physical functioning scales (HR = 0.982, 95%CI: 0.973; 0.992) and bodily pain (HR = 0.989, 95%CI: 0.980; 0.999) of SF-36 (Table 2). The Cox regression models adjusted for sex, age and time on dialysis before interview did not show any mortality associated factors (Table 3).

After five years follow-up, the Cox univariate regression showed survival associated factors were: schooling (HR = 1.721, 95%CI: 1.081; 2.741), employment (HR = 1.480, 95%CI: 1.032; 2.123), Tx (HR = 10.545, 95%CI: 5.223; 21.291), CCI (HR = 1.092, 95%CI: 1.046; 1.141), nutritional status (HR = 1.667, 95%CI: 1.301; 2.134), frequency of leisure activities (HR = 1.781, 95%CI: 1.418; 2.235) and physical component scores (HR = 0.971, 95%CI: 0.959; 0.982); additionally, almost all SF-36 scales, except mental health, which showed no significance, were associated with survival (Table 2). The Cox regression models adjusted for sex, age and time on dialysis before the interview indicated that not being married or not being in a de facto relationship (HR = 1.289, 95%CI: 1.001; 1.660), low frequency of recreational activities (HR = 1.321, 95%CI: 1.010; 1.727) and not being transplanted (HR = 7.246, 95%CI: 3.359; 15.630) remained independently associated with mortality (Table 3).

After nine years of follow-up: the univariate analysis showed that survival associated factors were: being married or in a de facto relationship (HR = 1.213, 95%CI: 1.006; 1.462), schooling (HR = 1.648, 95%CI: 1.094; 2.482), employment (HR = 1.581, 95%CI: 1.165; 2.145), Tx (HR = 11.177, 95%CI: 6.427; 19.439), CCI (HR = 1.078, 95%CI: 1.038; 1.118), nutritional status (HR = 1.612, 95%CI: 1.302; 1.997), frequency of social activities (HR = 1.281, 95%CI: 1.034; 1.588) and of leisure activities (HR = 1.643, 95%CI: 1.350; 2.001), physical components (HR = 0.977, 95%CI: 0.967; 0.986) and almost all SF-36 scales (Table 2). The Cox regression models adjusted for sex, age and time on dialysis before the interview indicated that not being married or not being in a de facto relationship (HR = 1.337, 95%CI: 1.019; 1.756), not being transplanted (HR = 7.341, 95%CI: 3.829; 14.075) and worse nutritional status (HR = 1.363, 95%CI: 1.002; 1.853) remained independently associated with increased mortality (Table 3). High schooling level (10 to 12 years, HR = 0.578, 95%CI: 0.344; 0.972; and over 12 years, HR = 0.561, 95%CI: 0.329; 0.956), as well as better physical functioning scores on SF-36 (HR = 0.992, 95%CI: 0.987; 0.998), were protective factors associated with survival.

Discussion

From our results, we observed that as period of disease increased, mortality risk factors were added and correlated with deterioration of the patient’s general health status and their permanence on dialysis. CKF is associated with a broad range of complications, resulting in adverse effects on health, and it is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and bone diseases, in addition to impairing physical, nutritional, emotional and cognitive functions ³⁹39. National kidney Foundation. KDIGO 2012 Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease. http://www.kidney-international.org (accessed on 12/Apr/2019).
http://www.kidney-international.org... . In a national study carried out in the United States, the comorbidities of 1,039 patients on RRT, aged over 18 years, were assessed at the beginning of dialysis treatment and during a five-year follow-up, and the association between comorbidity and survival was verified at different intervals. They concluded that clinical worsening, as well as progressive severity of comorbidities, were independent risk factors for mortality ⁴⁰40. Miskulin DC, Meyer KB, Martin AA, Fink NE, Coresh J, Powe NR, et al. Comorbidity and its change predict survival in incident dialysis patients. Am J Kidney Dis 2003; 41:149-61.. Despite the evidence in literature, in our study, we did not find mortality associated factors in the first-year follow-up, probably due to the lack of specific clinical and laboratory parameters at baseline. Different risk factors have been related to death after the first year on RRT, such as advanced age, coexistence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes as primary cause of CKD, no venous access for dialysis and inappropriate access to health care services at predialysis period ⁹9. McDonald SP, Marshall MR, Johnson DW, Polkinghorne KR. Relationship between dialysis modality and mortality. J Am Soc Nephrol 2009; 20:155-63.^,1010. Jaar BG, Coresh J, Plantinga LC, Fink NE, Klag MJ, Levey AS, et al. Comparing the risk for death with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis in a national cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease. Ann Intern Med 2005; 143:174-83.^,1111. Vonesh EF, Snyder JJ, Folley RN, Collins AJ. The differential impact of risk factors on mortality in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Kidney Int 2004; 66:2389-401.^,1212. Sanabria M, Muñoz J, Trillos C, Hernández G, Latorre C, Díaz CS, et al. Dialysis outcomes in Colombia (DOC) study: a comparison of patient survival on peritoneal dialysis vs hemodialysis in Colombia. Kidney Int 2008; (108):S165-72.^,1313. Szuster DAC, Caiaffa WT, Andrade EIG, Acurcio FA, Cherchiglia ML. Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:415-24.^,4040. Miskulin DC, Meyer KB, Martin AA, Fink NE, Coresh J, Powe NR, et al. Comorbidity and its change predict survival in incident dialysis patients. Am J Kidney Dis 2003; 41:149-61.^,4141. GBD 2013 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators. Global, regional, and national age-sex speci? all-cause and cause-speci? mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet 2015; 385:117-71..

In this study, sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle, such as being married or being in a de facto relationship, higher schooling and participating in leisure activities, were associated with longer survival in the 5- and 9-year follow-up intervals. These factors can be included in the concepts of social support and social capital, both described as important sources of protection for physical and emotional health, as well as welfare and QoL ⁴²42. Barrera M. Distinctions between social support concepts, measures and models. Am J Community Psychol 1986; 14:413-45.^,4343. Rounds KA, Israel BA. Social networks and social support: living with chronic renal disease. Patient Educ Couns 1985; 7:227-47.^,4444. Brummett BH, Barefoot JC, Siegler IC, Clapp-Channing NE, Lytle BL, Bosworth HB, et al. Characteristics of socially isolated patients with coronary artery disease who are at elevated risk for mortality. Psychosom Med 2001; 63:267-72.^,4545. Untas A, Thumma J, Rascle N, Rayner H, Mapes D, Lopes AA, et al. The associations of social support and other psychosocial factors with mortality and QoL in the dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2011; 6:142-52.^,4646. Prihodova L, Nagyova I, Rosenberger J, Roland R, Majernikova M, Groothoff JW, et al. Social participation after kidney transplantation as a predictor of graft loss and mortality over 10 years: a longitudinal study. Transplantation 2015; 99:568-75.^,4747. Riezebos RK, Nauta KJ, Honig A, Dekker FW, Siegert CE. The association of depressive symptoms with survival in a Dutch cohort of patients with end-stage renal disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:231-6..

Social support can be defined as the individual’s social relation structures, including affective or instrumental involvement ⁴²42. Barrera M. Distinctions between social support concepts, measures and models. Am J Community Psychol 1986; 14:413-45.^,4343. Rounds KA, Israel BA. Social networks and social support: living with chronic renal disease. Patient Educ Couns 1985; 7:227-47.. Various studies showed that individuals with poor social support are at higher risk of hospitalization, getting sick and mortality, both in the general population and in specific morbidity groups ⁴⁴44. Brummett BH, Barefoot JC, Siegler IC, Clapp-Channing NE, Lytle BL, Bosworth HB, et al. Characteristics of socially isolated patients with coronary artery disease who are at elevated risk for mortality. Psychosom Med 2001; 63:267-72.^,4545. Untas A, Thumma J, Rascle N, Rayner H, Mapes D, Lopes AA, et al. The associations of social support and other psychosocial factors with mortality and QoL in the dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2011; 6:142-52.^,4646. Prihodova L, Nagyova I, Rosenberger J, Roland R, Majernikova M, Groothoff JW, et al. Social participation after kidney transplantation as a predictor of graft loss and mortality over 10 years: a longitudinal study. Transplantation 2015; 99:568-75.^,4747. Riezebos RK, Nauta KJ, Honig A, Dekker FW, Siegert CE. The association of depressive symptoms with survival in a Dutch cohort of patients with end-stage renal disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:231-6.^,4848. Goldfarb-Rumyantzev AS, Rout P, Sandhu GS, Khattak M, Tang H, Barenbaum A. Association between social adaptability index and survival of patients with chronic kidney disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:3672-81.^,4949. Naiman N, Baird BC, Isaacs RB, Koford JK, Habib AN, Wang BJ, et al. Role of pre-transplant marital status in renal transplant outcome. Clin Transplant 2007; 21:38-46.. A cohort study conducted in seven countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States) investigated the influence of social support and other psychosocial factors on mortality, compliance with medical care and QoL in 32,332 patients on hemodialysis (HD). They observed that poorer social support was associated with a higher risk of mortality, less adhesion to medical care and worse QoL ⁴⁵45. Untas A, Thumma J, Rascle N, Rayner H, Mapes D, Lopes AA, et al. The associations of social support and other psychosocial factors with mortality and QoL in the dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2011; 6:142-52.. Restrictions in social participation were associated with increased risk of graft loss and of all-cause mortality during a ten-year follow-up in a sample of 331 renal-transplanted patients from a university transplant center in Slovakia between 2003 and 2009 ⁴⁶46. Prihodova L, Nagyova I, Rosenberger J, Roland R, Majernikova M, Groothoff JW, et al. Social participation after kidney transplantation as a predictor of graft loss and mortality over 10 years: a longitudinal study. Transplantation 2015; 99:568-75..

Limited social engagement results from deterioration of the patient´s clinical and emotional conditions and from being avoided by some members of his social network, who avert disease related issues. Consequently, the patient’s network and family may shrink, and the closest members available may take on an increasing relevance, which may often be exclusive. In this context, marital status is considered an important social support for CKF patients. The literature shows the association between marital status and mortality and has consistently identified that single individuals usually report worse health conditions and higher risk of death than their married peers do, and men are particularly affected ⁴⁸48. Goldfarb-Rumyantzev AS, Rout P, Sandhu GS, Khattak M, Tang H, Barenbaum A. Association between social adaptability index and survival of patients with chronic kidney disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:3672-81.^,4949. Naiman N, Baird BC, Isaacs RB, Koford JK, Habib AN, Wang BJ, et al. Role of pre-transplant marital status in renal transplant outcome. Clin Transplant 2007; 21:38-46.. An American retrospective cohort study assessed the survival of 13,400 patients with stage 2 or more advanced CKD, and being married was one of the factors associated with better survival ⁴⁸48. Goldfarb-Rumyantzev AS, Rout P, Sandhu GS, Khattak M, Tang H, Barenbaum A. Association between social adaptability index and survival of patients with chronic kidney disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:3672-81.. It is believed that married people are more likely to have healthier behaviors, given that the spouses represent a positive support to encourage the patients as they face life changes imposed after starting RRT. Moreover, it is suggested that individuals in a significant affective relationship may benefit from an extra pair of eyes to monitor their health status and keep their commitment to treatment ⁴⁹49. Naiman N, Baird BC, Isaacs RB, Koford JK, Habib AN, Wang BJ, et al. Role of pre-transplant marital status in renal transplant outcome. Clin Transplant 2007; 21:38-46..

Social capital includes economic values added by the social network, such as employment, income, schooling, and access to services. These socioeconomic factors can affect the health and well-being of the general population and have been related to the prevalence and progression of CKD ¹³13. Szuster DAC, Caiaffa WT, Andrade EIG, Acurcio FA, Cherchiglia ML. Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:415-24.^,4848. Goldfarb-Rumyantzev AS, Rout P, Sandhu GS, Khattak M, Tang H, Barenbaum A. Association between social adaptability index and survival of patients with chronic kidney disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:3672-81.^,5050. Schaeffner ES, Mehta J, Winkelmayer WC. Educational level as a determinant of access to and outcomes after kidney transplantation in the United States. Am J Kidney Dis 2008; 51:811-8.. In our study, higher schooling levels were predictors of longer survival, and similar results were found in cohorts of CKF patients ⁴⁷47. Riezebos RK, Nauta KJ, Honig A, Dekker FW, Siegert CE. The association of depressive symptoms with survival in a Dutch cohort of patients with end-stage renal disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:231-6.^,5050. Schaeffner ES, Mehta J, Winkelmayer WC. Educational level as a determinant of access to and outcomes after kidney transplantation in the United States. Am J Kidney Dis 2008; 51:811-8.^,5151. Imanishi Y, Fukuma S, Karaboyas A, Robinson BM, Pisoni RL, Nomura T, et al. Associations of employment status and educational levels with mortality and hospitalization in the dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study in Japan. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170731.. In a nationally representative sample from the United States of incident dialysis patients, those with higher schooling presented lower waiting list times and three-fold higher Tx rates, and although mortality was not associated with schooling level, increased graft loss rates were observed in the group with less schooling in this study ⁵⁰50. Schaeffner ES, Mehta J, Winkelmayer WC. Educational level as a determinant of access to and outcomes after kidney transplantation in the United States. Am J Kidney Dis 2008; 51:811-8.. In a Japanese cohort of 7,974 patients on HD, employment status and education were inversely associated with mortality, and only employment was associated with admissions to the hospital ⁵²52. Chertow GM, Johansen KL, Lew N, Lazarus JM, Lowrie EG. Vintage, nutritional status, and survival in hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int 2000; 57:1176-81.. Employment and education are strongly associated factors, being considered income markers and, consequently, related to life expectancy. Low schooling may lead to poor compliance with treatment, partly due to communication barriers among patients and professionals, difficulty with handling medications, diet and other types of care, thus negatively impacting control of the disease. In dialysis and Tx patients, limited health knowledge has been related to lower socioeconomic status, comorbidity and mortality ⁵⁰50. Schaeffner ES, Mehta J, Winkelmayer WC. Educational level as a determinant of access to and outcomes after kidney transplantation in the United States. Am J Kidney Dis 2008; 51:811-8.^,5151. Imanishi Y, Fukuma S, Karaboyas A, Robinson BM, Pisoni RL, Nomura T, et al. Associations of employment status and educational levels with mortality and hospitalization in the dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study in Japan. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170731..

In our study, we found an association between nutritional status and survival; malnutrition assessed by GSA was an independent risk factor for mortality after a 9-year follow-up. CKF, as well as the available RRT, are major conditions for nutritional deterioration of patients over time, primarily those on dialysis ⁵²52. Chertow GM, Johansen KL, Lew N, Lazarus JM, Lowrie EG. Vintage, nutritional status, and survival in hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int 2000; 57:1176-81.^,5353. Qureshi AR, Alvestrand A, Divino-Filho JC, Gutierrez A, Heimbürger O, Lindholm B, et al. Inflammation, malnutrition, and cardiac disease as predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients. J Am Soc Nephrol 2002; 13 Suppl 1:S28-36.^,5454. Lopes AA, Bragg-Gresham JL, Elder SJ, Ginsberg N, Goodkin DA, Pifer T, et al. Independent and joint associations of nutritional status indicators with mortality risk among chronic hemodialysis patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). J Renal Nutr 2010; 20:224-34.^,5555. Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kopple JD, Block G, Humphreys MH. Association among SF-36 quality of life measures and nutrition, hospitalization, and mortality in hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2001; 12:2797-806.. An United States study explored the relationship between time on dialysis, nutritional status and survival in a prevalence cohort of 3,009 adult patients who underwent at least three months of dialysis treatment. They concluded that a longer time of treatment was related to worse nutritional status, with a significant decline in all nutrition parameters assessed ⁵²52. Chertow GM, Johansen KL, Lew N, Lazarus JM, Lowrie EG. Vintage, nutritional status, and survival in hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int 2000; 57:1176-81.. Patients progressive malnutrition is also a predisposing factor to complications, such as coronary artery diseases and diabetes, which cause a high proportion of deaths in this population. On the other hand, low serum albumin levels, a strong marker of malnutrition, may be secondary to acute or chronic infectious and inflammatory processes, which, in turn, contribute to an increased mortality risk ⁵³53. Qureshi AR, Alvestrand A, Divino-Filho JC, Gutierrez A, Heimbürger O, Lindholm B, et al. Inflammation, malnutrition, and cardiac disease as predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients. J Am Soc Nephrol 2002; 13 Suppl 1:S28-36.^,5454. Lopes AA, Bragg-Gresham JL, Elder SJ, Ginsberg N, Goodkin DA, Pifer T, et al. Independent and joint associations of nutritional status indicators with mortality risk among chronic hemodialysis patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). J Renal Nutr 2010; 20:224-34.. More severe malnutrition stages were also related to reduced QoL. In a study in the United States, data collected using the SF-36 and GSA instruments, added to laboratory and clinical nutritional values, showed inverse significant correlations among QoL scores and body fat percentage, anemia and low serum albumin levels in 65 patients on dialysis ⁵⁵55. Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kopple JD, Block G, Humphreys MH. Association among SF-36 quality of life measures and nutrition, hospitalization, and mortality in hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2001; 12:2797-806.. It is of utmost importance to monitor the nutritional status and subjective condition of well-being in CKD patients on RRT. The reason for this is the physical debilitation experienced due to malnutrition, which may be insidious and progressive, can lead to negative consequences in the functional and mental health of patients and negatively impact their survival.

After a 9-year follow-up, we found an association between the physical functioning scale of the SF-36 physical components and an increased risk of death in our cohort. This finding is consistent with data shown in the international literature, in which worse scores related to QoL physical and mental domains were associated with increased general mortality rates of CKF patients ⁶6. Grincenkov FR, Fernandes N, Pereira BS, Bastos K, Lopes AA, Finkelstein FO, et al. Impacto f baseline health-related quality of life score on survival of incidente patients on peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study. Nephron 2015; 129:97-103.^,77. Broers NJH, Usvyat LA, Kooman JP, van der Sande FM, Lacson Jr E, Kotanko P, et al. Quality of life in dialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study. Nephron 2015; 130:105-12.^,1616. Reese PP, Shults J, Bloom RD, Mussell A, Harhay MN, Abt P, et al. Functional status, time to transplantation, and survival benefit of kidney transplantation among wait-listed candidates. Am J Kidney Dis 2015; 66:837-45.^,1717. Molnar-Varga M, Molnar MZ, Szeifert L, Kovacs AZ, Kelemen A, Becze A, et al. Health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes on kidney transplant recipients. Am J Kidney Dis 2011; 58:444-52.^,2020. Von Der Lippe D, Waldum-Grevbo B, Reisaeter AV, Os I. Is HRQOL in dialysis associated with patient survival or graft function after kidney transplantation. BMC Nephrol 2016; 17:94.^,2121. Griva K, Davenport A, Newman SP. Health-related quality of life and long-term survival and graft failure in kidney transplantation: a 12-year follow-up study. Transplantation 2013; 95:740-9.^,5555. Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kopple JD, Block G, Humphreys MH. Association among SF-36 quality of life measures and nutrition, hospitalization, and mortality in hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2001; 12:2797-806.^,5656. Purnell TS, Auguste P, Crews DC, Lamprea-Montealegre J, Olufade T, Greer R, et al. Comparison of life participation activities among adults treated by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation: a systematic review. Am J Kidney Dis 2013; 62:953-73.. In recent decades, the QoL of patients on RRT has been extensively studied, since it impacts their physical and psychic capacities and vitality, in addition to limiting social and occupational interactions. Even with medicine advances, better control of CKD symptoms was not able to avoid deterioration in patients QoL ⁷7. Broers NJH, Usvyat LA, Kooman JP, van der Sande FM, Lacson Jr E, Kotanko P, et al. Quality of life in dialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study. Nephron 2015; 130:105-12.. There are several factors associated with this decreased QoL, including sex, age, number of comorbidities, nutritional status, dialytic parameters, compliance with treatment and mental health ⁶6. Grincenkov FR, Fernandes N, Pereira BS, Bastos K, Lopes AA, Finkelstein FO, et al. Impacto f baseline health-related quality of life score on survival of incidente patients on peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study. Nephron 2015; 129:97-103.^,1717. Molnar-Varga M, Molnar MZ, Szeifert L, Kovacs AZ, Kelemen A, Becze A, et al. Health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes on kidney transplant recipients. Am J Kidney Dis 2011; 58:444-52.^,5555. Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kopple JD, Block G, Humphreys MH. Association among SF-36 quality of life measures and nutrition, hospitalization, and mortality in hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2001; 12:2797-806.. Time on treatment and type of RRT have also been described as risk factors for worse quantification, since the longer the period on HD or peritoneal dialysis (PD), the greater the risk of having comorbidities and physical deterioration, whereas Tx results in better clinical and emotional conditions ⁵5. Álvares J, Cesar CC, Acurcio FA, Andrade EI, Cherchiglia ML. Quality of life of patients in renal replacement therapy in Brazil: comparison of treatment modalitie. Qual Life Res 2012; 21:983-91.^,3131. Machado EL, Gomes IC, Acurcio FA, César CC, Almeida MCM, Cherchiglia ML. Fatores associados ao tempo de espera e ao acesso ao transplante renal em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Cad Saúde Pública 2012; 28:2315-26.^,3232. Brito DCS, Machado EL, Reis IA, Moreira DP, Nébias THM, Cherchiglia ML. Modality transition on renal replacement therapy and quality of life of patients: a 10-year follow-up cohort study. Qual Life Res 2019; 28:1485-95.. In a Brazilian cohort with 205 incident dialysis patients followed up for 10 years, the QoL measured at baseline and at the end of follow-up was dynamic throughout the years on RRT and presented better scores after Tx. This study also demonstrated that a longer time on dialysis and limited social and occupational routines were risk factors for reduced scores on the SF-36 ³²32. Brito DCS, Machado EL, Reis IA, Moreira DP, Nébias THM, Cherchiglia ML. Modality transition on renal replacement therapy and quality of life of patients: a 10-year follow-up cohort study. Qual Life Res 2019; 28:1485-95.. A poor QoL was associated with different complications in patients, including a greater risk of hospitalizations and of mortality ⁶6. Grincenkov FR, Fernandes N, Pereira BS, Bastos K, Lopes AA, Finkelstein FO, et al. Impacto f baseline health-related quality of life score on survival of incidente patients on peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study. Nephron 2015; 129:97-103.^,77. Broers NJH, Usvyat LA, Kooman JP, van der Sande FM, Lacson Jr E, Kotanko P, et al. Quality of life in dialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study. Nephron 2015; 130:105-12.^,1616. Reese PP, Shults J, Bloom RD, Mussell A, Harhay MN, Abt P, et al. Functional status, time to transplantation, and survival benefit of kidney transplantation among wait-listed candidates. Am J Kidney Dis 2015; 66:837-45.^,1717. Molnar-Varga M, Molnar MZ, Szeifert L, Kovacs AZ, Kelemen A, Becze A, et al. Health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes on kidney transplant recipients. Am J Kidney Dis 2011; 58:444-52.^,1818. Maia VHM, Silvano GP, Kock KS, Machado MO. Análise da sobrevida de pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise em Tubarão/SC, Brasil. Rev Bras Pesq Saúde 2016; 18:76-83.^,1919. Silva LAM, Mezzomo NF, Pansard HM, Arantes LC, Rempel W, Argenta LC, et al. Sobrevida em hemodiálise crônica: estudo de uma coorte de 1.009 pacientes em 25 anos. J Bras Nefrol 2009; 31:190-7.^,2020. Von Der Lippe D, Waldum-Grevbo B, Reisaeter AV, Os I. Is HRQOL in dialysis associated with patient survival or graft function after kidney transplantation. BMC Nephrol 2016; 17:94.^,2121. Griva K, Davenport A, Newman SP. Health-related quality of life and long-term survival and graft failure in kidney transplantation: a 12-year follow-up study. Transplantation 2013; 95:740-9.^,5555. Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kopple JD, Block G, Humphreys MH. Association among SF-36 quality of life measures and nutrition, hospitalization, and mortality in hemodialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2001; 12:2797-806..

Being transplanted was the main condition related to survival in our sample, both in the 5- and 9-year follow-up intervals. It is a consensus that among RRTs, transplantation refers to a modality of treatment that is closer to a more functional life for promoting better QoL and less mortality, in addition to other benefits, such as reduced cost of health and fewer comorbidities ⁵5. Álvares J, Cesar CC, Acurcio FA, Andrade EI, Cherchiglia ML. Quality of life of patients in renal replacement therapy in Brazil: comparison of treatment modalitie. Qual Life Res 2012; 21:983-91.^,66. Grincenkov FR, Fernandes N, Pereira BS, Bastos K, Lopes AA, Finkelstein FO, et al. Impacto f baseline health-related quality of life score on survival of incidente patients on peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study. Nephron 2015; 129:97-103.^,77. Broers NJH, Usvyat LA, Kooman JP, van der Sande FM, Lacson Jr E, Kotanko P, et al. Quality of life in dialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study. Nephron 2015; 130:105-12.^,1717. Molnar-Varga M, Molnar MZ, Szeifert L, Kovacs AZ, Kelemen A, Becze A, et al. Health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes on kidney transplant recipients. Am J Kidney Dis 2011; 58:444-52.^,2323. Sesso RCC, Lopes AA, Thomé FS, Lugon JR, Burdmann EA. Resultados do censo de diálise da SBN, 2008. J Bras Nefrol 2008; 30:233-8.^,5656. Purnell TS, Auguste P, Crews DC, Lamprea-Montealegre J, Olufade T, Greer R, et al. Comparison of life participation activities among adults treated by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation: a systematic review. Am J Kidney Dis 2013; 62:953-73.^,5757. Tonelli M, Wiebe N, Knoll G, Bello A, Browne S, Jadhav D, et al. Systematic review: kidney transplantation compared with dialysis in clinically relevant outcomes. Am J Transplant 2011; 11:2093-109.. After Tx, the lifestyle of patients will very likely change due to no longer having the strict routine of dialysis sessions, thus having more time for occupational, social and leisure activities; moreover, there is increased vitality and well-being, resulting from improved general health conditions ³²32. Brito DCS, Machado EL, Reis IA, Moreira DP, Nébias THM, Cherchiglia ML. Modality transition on renal replacement therapy and quality of life of patients: a 10-year follow-up cohort study. Qual Life Res 2019; 28:1485-95.. A systematic review of the literature compared social participation among adult CKF patients under different RRT modalities and demonstrated that renal-transplanted patients experienced better possibilities of participation in social and leisure activities when compared to those on HD or PD, and presented better QoL and mental health ⁵⁶56. Purnell TS, Auguste P, Crews DC, Lamprea-Montealegre J, Olufade T, Greer R, et al. Comparison of life participation activities among adults treated by hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation: a systematic review. Am J Kidney Dis 2013; 62:953-73.. In another systematic review of 110 studies - including studies conducted in African, European and Asian countries and totaling 1,961,904 participants with CKD - transplantation was associated with a reduced risk of mortality and cardiovascular events, as well as with better QoL, compared to dialytic treatment. These results were consistent for different modalities of dialysis, for deceased and living donor transplants and among countries with different health systems ⁵⁷57. Tonelli M, Wiebe N, Knoll G, Bello A, Browne S, Jadhav D, et al. Systematic review: kidney transplantation compared with dialysis in clinically relevant outcomes. Am J Transplant 2011; 11:2093-109..

Some limitations of the present study should be addressed. First, there was no assessment of uremic parameters. Such data would be very relevant in our study, due to the association between increased mortality and glomerular filtration rate, in addition to other clinical parameters already demonstrated in previous studies. Second, there was data loss due to changes in the participating clinics. Some of them were closed and incorporated into larger dialysis centers, and others reopened after a long inactive period, which hindered access to both patients and mortality data. Third, there was a possible survival bias, as the 712 participants represented the patients who survived between 2006 and 2008. Regarding this potential survival bias, we also considered the best clinical condition that patients achieved after Tx when compared to those who remained on dialysis.

Conclusion

Studies on the analysis of RRT patient survival are considered fundamental tools for the care team and health care managers, since they contribute to improvement of care conditions and to a broader understanding of treatment program results. Based on the early identification of morbidity and mortality risks for this group of patients, it is possible to implement specific strategies for more positive outcomes regarding QoL and years of life.

In this study, the primary protection factors for longer survival of CKD patients on RRT were Tx and presence of a more active routine and social life, and a better QoL. Not being married or not being in a de facto relationship, lower schooling, a limited social routine, more time on dialysis, worse nutritional status and worse physical functioning were associated with increased mortality. These results indicated that better survival was associated with factors that go beyond the patient's clinical condition, encompassing personal, relational and social aspects. The treatment for CKF includes a series of precautions, and the disease itself and its treatment cause consequences that radically alter the person's global functioning. As the prolongation of survival is achieved through more advanced treatment techniques, the health care of these patients needs to transcend the physical aspect and move towards more comprehensive, singular and humanized care, as recommended in SUS fundamentals and guidelines. Therefore, we reinforce the importance of building and strengthening therapeutic projects that include a multidisciplinary team, in addition to the active participation of patients and their families in the assistance basis from health services.

Acknowledgments

M. L. Cherchiglia received research sponsorship from Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq) - Brazil, and the Minas Gerais State Research Foundation (FAPEMIG). This study was part financed by the Graduate Studies Coordinating Board (CAPES - Financial Code 001).

References

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