Physical Function and Clinical Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients: China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients usually have impaired physical function compared with the general population. Self-reported physical function is a simple method to implement in daily dialysis care. This study aimed to examine the association of self-reported physical function with clinical outcomes of HD patients. Methods: The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) is a prospective cohort study. Data on 1,427 HD patients in China DOPPS5 were analyzed. Self-reported physical function was characterized by 2 items of “moderate activities limited level” and “climbing stairs limited level.” Demographic data, comorbidities, hospitalization, and death records were collected from patients’ records. Associations between physical function and outcomes were analyzed using COX regression models. Results: Compared to “limited a lot” in moderate activities, “limited a little” and “not limited at all” groups were associated with lower all-cause mortality after adjusted for covariates (HR: 0.652, 95% CI: 0.435–0.977, and HR: 0.472, 95% CI: 0.241–0.927, respectively). And, not limited in moderate activities was associated with lower risk of hospitalization than the “limited a lot” group after adjusted for covariates (HR: 0.747, 95% CI: 0.570–0.978). Meanwhile, compared to “limited a lot” in climbing stairs, “limited a little” and “not limited at all” groups were associated with lower all-cause mortality (HR: 0.574, 95% CI: 0.380–0.865 and HR: 0.472, 95% CI: 0.293–0.762, respectively) but not hospitalization after fully adjusted. Conclusion: Higher limited levels in self-reported physical function were associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalization in HD patients.