Assessment of Depression in Hemodialysis Patients and Its Impact on Quality of Life

Abstract

Abstract Background End stage renal disease patients are thought to be highly susceptible to emotional problems. Depression is generally accepted to be the commonest psychological problem in patients with end stage renal disease which will affect the quality of life of these patients. Aim of the Work To assess depression in hemodialysis patients and its impact on physical and mental health. Methods A cross section study was made in Ain shams university hospital and other hemodialysis units on 500 patients on regular Hemodialysis. Results the study show a lower quality of life (both mentally and physically using SF-12 questionnaire) in patients with severe depression compared with those with mild to moderate depression. As quality of life is a predictor of survival in HD patients. Hence, correlation between quality of life and BDI score focuses on the effects of depression on HD patients’ survival. Conclusion Depression is so common among our dialysis patients whatever its degree. Different components of quality of life (physical and mental) are affected among our dialysis patients. Depression score (BDI score) is in direct relationship with age, marital status and employment. Physical, mental and total components of SF12v1 has a significant negative correlation with age, BMI, dialysis vintage and interdialytic weight gain. Associated comorbid diseases had significant correlation with depression and quality of life in our dialysis patients. Depression severity has significant negative correlation with PCS, MCS and the total score of SF12v1. Patients with mild depression have significantly higher scores of the various components of SF12v1 much more than those with moderate depression. Depression is highly statistically significant in predicting of PCS, MCS and the total score of SF12v1 and each increase in depression severity leads to significant decrease in them with different degrees.