Ware J, et al.J Am Soc Nephrol.2019;doi:JASN-2018-08-0814.R3 March 22, 2019 John E. Ware Jr. Nephrology News and Issues reported that Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) measures are less efficient than new CKD-specific QOL Disease Impact Scale (QDIS) outcome measures according to a study comparing the clinical validity of these methods published in az leading clinicasl journal. The Nephrology News noted that current patient-reported outcome measures are not as practical or clinically useful as is needed for patients with CKD. Therefore, researchers compared the usefulness a new CKD-specific QDIS scale against the commonly used KDQOL-36 measure. “Despite its widespread use, the KDQOL-36 has disadvantages. In an attempt to be short to reduce overall respondent burden, important CKD-specific outcome domains are omitted,” the authors wrote. “Short forms also may yield scores that are too imprecise for use in individual patient clinical care. In addition, static surveys such as the KDQOL-36 administer the same questions to everyone, including some questions that may be irrelevant to a specific individual. The range of reliable measurement is restricted, limiting the ability to detect score change associated with changes in disease severity or with treatment [effects].” Three groups of patients (either non-dialysis stages 3 to 5, on dialysis or post-transplant) were included for a total of 145 patients. According to the study, each patient completed the KDQOL-36, SF-12, CKD-QOL-6 (QDIS-CKD prototype) static and computer adaptive test (CAT) forms at baseline and 3 months. Researchers compared baseline results with 3-month outcomes to determine the efficiency and validity […]