Influencing factors and sex differences of life satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease: a national cross-sectional study in China

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing life satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease and to explore any sex differences. Thus, this provides a theoretical basis for improving the life satisfaction status of middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic kidney disease, as well as formulating prevention, treatment and intervention strategies. Design Based on the health ecology model, 22 potential influencing factors were identified at five levels. Subsequent analyses examined whether they impacted the life satisfaction of patients with chronic kidney disease and had varying effects on different sexes. Participants A total of 1422 patients with chronic kidney disease were included from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Primary and secondary outcome measures The χ 2 test and multivariate logistic regression model were used to analyse the influencing factors of life satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease and their sex differences. Sensitivity analyses additionally supported the robustness of the results. Results Age, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, marital satisfaction, satisfaction with children, activities of daily living and pension were all significant influencing factors of life satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease (p<0.05). The impact of drinking on life satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease showed significant sex differences. Interestingly, male patients who consumed alcohol were more likely to report high life satisfaction, while male patients who smoked cigarettes were more likely to show low life satisfaction; however, this association was not found in female patients. Conclusions This study reveals that a combination of factors affects life satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease. Therefore, targeted prevention and intervention strategies should be carried out, with specific focus on females, individuals with poor self-rated health and those experiencing depressive symptoms from a multidimensional perspective.