Determination of Beck Depression Inventory Scores of the Patients in a Hemodialysis Center: Evaluation with a Holistic Approach

Abstract

Aim/ Background: The holistic approach in medicine refers to addressing an individual as a whole. Family physicians should be familiar with psychological as well as physical problems of their hemodialysis patients. This study aims to measure depressive mood levels of patients in a hemodialysis center, and to investigate the potential risk factors with a holistic approach. Method: This study was conducted on patients receiving treatment at a private hemodialysis center. During the hemodialysis session, the patients’s blood samples were taken, and serum phosphorus, creatinine, albumin, and hematocrit levels were measured. A semi-structured questionnaire form was used to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to determine depressive mood level of the patients. Results: This study was conducted on a sample of 88 patients (33 female, 55 male). The mean BDI scores were 16.7±9.8, and when the cut-off point of BDl was taken as 15, the rate of depressive mood was %56.8 for hemodialysis patients. We evaluated the duration of illness, family structure, educational level, having non-renal comorbid disease, employment status, economic status, and also blood creatinine, albumin, phosphorus, and hematocrit levels. The mean BDI score was significantly lower in patients who lived in simple nuclear families with fewer than six individuals at home. Conclusion: The holistic approach is essential, especially in chronic disease follow-up in primary healthcare. Family support and psychological evaluation with a holistic approach are vital for hemodialysis patients.