Table 3.

Symptoms and QOL at the initial clinic visit and change in symptoms and QOL over time in the RSC-NFD and predialysis groups

	Predialysis	RSC-NFD	P Value
Symptoms	133	65
No. of symptoms at first visit (MSAS), mean (SD)	9.1 (5.3)	12.2 (5.6)	<0.001
Score >20 at first visit (MSAS)	44 (33%)	37 (57%)	0.001
QOL
Physical composite (SF-36)	137	63
Score at first visit; mean (SD)	38 (11)	29 (8)	<0.001
Mental composite (SF-36)
Score at first visit; mean (SD)	50 (10)	46 (12)	0.06
QOL status	49	19
Change of physical composite score over 12 mo			0.12
Stable	2 (4%)	3 (16%)
Improved	20 (41%)	4 (21%)
Worse	27 (55%)	12 (63%)
Change of mental composite score over 12 mo			0.78
Stable	1 (2%)	1 (5%)
Improved	26 (53.1%)	10 (53%)
Worse	22 (44.9%)	8 (42%)
MSAS symptom status
Change of MSAS symptoms score from initial visit to 6 mo	84	45
Stable	6 (7%)	3 (8%)	0.88
Improved	32 (38%)	16 (42%)
Worse	46 (55%)	19 (50%)
Change of MSAS symptoms score from initial visit to 12 mo	48	21	0.12
Stable	5 (10%)	1 (5%)
Improved	15 (31%)	12 (57%)
Worse	28 (58%)	8 (38%)
POS-S symptom status		78
Change of POS-S (renal) score over 6 mo
Stable		3 (4%)
Improved		48 (62%)
Worse		27 (35%)
Change of POS-S (renal) score over 12 mo		69
Stable		3 (4%)
Improved		49 (71%)
Worse		17 (25%)

Data are n unless otherwise stated. The overall initial survey response rate was 51% for both the MSAS and SF-36 forms. Missing data from follow-up visits were mostly due to deaths or else failure to return the voluntary MSAS or SF-36 forms. Data for symptom assessment using the POS-S form in the RSC-NFD group were more complete as this was conducted at the time of their clinic visit. QOL, quality of life; MSAS, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale; SF-36, Short Form-36.