Children of non-Western origin with end-stage renal disease in the Netherlands, Belgium and a part of Germany have impaired health-related quality of life compared with Western children

• Published in: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation dialysis, transplantation, 2014-02, Vol.29 (2), p.448-457
• Main Authors: Schoenmaker, Nikki J, Haverman, Lotte, Tromp, Wilma F, van der Lee, Johanna H, Offringa, Martin, Adams, Brigitte, Bouts, Antonia H M, Collard, Laure, Cransberg, Karlien, van Dyck, Maria, Godefroid, Nathalie, van Hoeck, Koenraad, Koster-Kamphuis, Linda, Lilien, Marc R, Raes, Ann, Taylan, Christina, Grootenhuis, Martha A, Groothoff, Jaap W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Belgium - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Ethnic Groups; Female; Germany - epidemiology; Health Status; Humans; Incidence; Kidney Failure, Chronic - ethnology; Kidney Failure, Chronic - psychology; Kidney Failure, Chronic - therapy; Male; Netherlands - epidemiology; Prevalence; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Renal Replacement Therapy; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0931-0509; 1460-2385
• DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gft436

Many children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) living in Western Europe are of non-Western European origin. They have unfavourable somatic outcomes compared with ESRD children of Western origin. In this study, we compared the Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of both groups. All children (5-18 years) with ESRD included in the RICH-Q project (Renal Insufficiency therapy in Children-Quality assessment and improvement) or their parents were asked to complete the generic version of the Paediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL). RICH-Q comprises the Netherlands, Belgium and a part of Germany. Children were considered to be of non-Western origin if they or at least one parent was born outside Western-European countries. Impaired HRQoL for children with ESRD of Western or non-Western origin was defined as a PedsQL score less than fifth percentile for healthy Dutch children of Western or non-Western origin, respectively. Of the 259 eligible children, 230 agreed to participate. One hundred and seventy-four children responded (response rate 67%) and 55 (32%) were of non-Western origin. Overall, 31 (56%) of the ESRD children of non-Western origin, and 58 (49%) of Western origin had an impaired total HRQoL score. Total HRQoL scores of children with ESRD of Western origin and non-Western origin were comparable, but scores on emotional functioning and school functioning were lower in non-Western origin (P=0.004 and 0.01, respectively). The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for ESRD children of non-Western origin to have impaired emotional functioning and school functioning, compared with Western origin, were 3.3(1.5-7.1) and 2.2(1.1-4.2), respectively. Children with ESRD of non-Western origin in three Western countries were found to be at risk for impaired HRQoL on emotional and school functioning. These children warrant special attention.