Apathy Symptoms, Physical and Cognitive Function, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Mortality in Older Patients With CKD: A Longitudinal Observational Study

Rationale & ObjectiveApathy reflects diminished motivation, goal-directed behavior, and emotions, as well as less engagement in social interactions. Apathy overlaps with depression and is associated with cognitive decline. In the older individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), both depression and cognitive impairments are common, but apathy symptoms have been underreported. We investigated the occurrence of apathy symptoms and their associations with physical- and cognitive functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and mortality in older patients with CKD.Study DesignProspective observational cohort study.Setting & Participants180 outpatients aged ≥65 years with eGFR ≤20 mL/min/1.73m2 from four Dutch nephrology centers.ExposuresApathy symptoms at baseline were considered present when a Geriatric Depression Scale’s 3-item apathy subscale score was ≥2 points.OutcomesPhysical and cognitive functioning, HRQoL (assessed in annual geriatric assessments), and four-year mortality.Analytical ApproachLinear regression for cross-sectional associations, linear regression models for longitudinal associations, and Cox regression models for mortality over four years of follow-up.ResultsApathy symptoms were present in 36% (n=64/180) of patients (67% males, median age 75.5 years), of whom 50% (n=32) had no depressive symptoms. At baseline, the presence of apathy symptoms was associated with significantly more frailty, more functional dependence, less physical capacity, lower visuo-constructive performance, worse delayed recall, and lower HRQoL scores. The presence of apathy symptoms at baseline was also associated with a higher mortality risk (hazard ratio 2.3, 95%CI 1.3-4.2, p=.005 adjusted for age, sex, and high education level), but not with changes in physical- and cognitive functioning, or HRQoL during follow-up.LimitationsRisk of selection bias and residual confounding.ConclusionsApathy symptoms were highly prevalent and associated with concurrent lower physical and cognitive status, lower HRQoL, and increased mortality. These findings highlight apathy as a potentially important clinical phenotype in older CKD patients.