Correlates of suicidal ideation among hemodialysis patients in Cheju National University Hospital: A pilot study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine correlates of suicidal ideation among hemodialysis patients in Cheju National University Hospital.Methods: 41 hemodialysis patients were evaluated from April 2004 to January 2005.Sociodemographic questionnaire included age, sex, religion, marital status, education level, monthly income, subjective sense of socioeconomic status, pre-and post diagnosis occupation, hospital expense responsibility, illness duration, etc. Questionnaire for health habit included subjective sense of health status, smoking, drinking, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempt etc. K-BDI was used to evaluate depression, and STAI for anxiety, self-esteem scale, and family and hospital staff supports scale was evaluated. We defined dependent variable as having suicidal ideation and coded positive suicidal ideation as 'r no suicidal ideation as 'O' Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to find correlates of suicidal ideation using variables that have been found to be risk factors of suicidal ideation.Result: Poor subjective sense of socioeconomic status(OR=9.688 95% CI 1.161-80.846) and education level under 12 years(OR=22.507 95% CI 1.049-483.005) were found to be correlates of suicidal ideation.Conclusions: Socioeconomical support from government and firm and constant support from medical staff and family is crucial for them not to have suicidal ideation.