Abstract
Background and Objectives: Anxiety–depression of patients undergoing hemodialysis has a strong relation with the levels of anxiety–depression of their caregivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety–depression of dialysis patients and their caregivers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 414 pairs of patients and caregivers from 24 hemodialysis centers of Greece completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The statistical analysis of the data was performed through the Statistical Program SPSS version 20.0. The statistical significance level was set up at 5%. Results: The mean age of patients was 64 (54.06–72.41) years old and the mean duration of hemodialysis was 36 (16–72) months. The mean age of caregivers was 54 (44–66) years old. Of the total sample, 17.1% (n = 71) of patients had high levels of anxiety and 12.3% (n = 51) had high levels of depression. Additionally, 27.8% (n = 115) of caregivers had high levels of anxiety and 11.4% (n = 47) had high levels of depression. Caregivers had higher levels of anxiety when their patients had high levels of anxiety as well (42.3%). Additionally, they had higher levels of depression when their patients had high levels of depression as well (17.6%). Conclusions: The results of this study showed a significant association between the levels of anxiety and depression among patients and caregivers. There is a necessity for individualized assessment of dialysis patients and their caregivers and the implementation of specific interventions for reducing the levels of anxiety and depression among them.
Highlights
Anxiety and depression are common psychiatric disorders among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) [1,2] and their caregivers [3,4]
Given that a disease affects a member of the family and dynamics within the family, the prevalence of anxiety and depression among caregivers is understandable
In terms of gender, women caregivers seem to be more vulnerable to anxiety and depression, mainly attributed to their role in family and children care [13]
Summary
Anxiety and depression are common psychiatric disorders among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) [1,2] and their caregivers [3,4]. Several factors seem to trigger anxiety and depression in hemodialysis patients such as co-morbidities, frequent hospitalizations [5], chronic pain, sleep disturbances [6], chronic inflammation, increased fatigue, decreased sexual functioning [7], uremia [8], failure of family support restrictions in daily life, non-compliance to therapeutic regimen including restrictions in diet and fluids, and dependency upon treatment and health professionals [9]. Anxiety–depression of patients undergoing hemodialysis has a strong relation with the levels of anxiety–depression of their caregivers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 414 pairs of patients and caregivers from 24 hemodialysis centers of Greece completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The mean age of caregivers was 54 (44–66) years old
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