Use of the KDQOL-36™ for assessment of health-related quality of life among dialysis patients in the United States

Background Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a key outcome for dialysis patients, and its assessment is mandated by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36™) survey is widely used for this assessment. KDQOL-36™ completion rates, and the distributions of scores and item responses, have not been examined in a large, nationally representative cohort of dialysis patients.