Evaluation of psychological distress using the K6 in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Akihiko Katayama,Kazuhiro Uzike,Nobuyuki Miyatake,Hiroo Hashimoto,Noriko Sakano,Kiichi Koumoto,Keiko Tanaka,Hiroyuki Nishi

doi:10.1007/s12199-014-0432-4

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological distress in patients on chronic hemodialysis. A total of 72 patients on chronic hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. We evaluated psychological distress by using the K6 questionnaire, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by using the EQ-5D questionnaire, and clinical parameters. Among the 72 patients, we also evaluated changes in K6 scores in 58 patients at 1-year follow-up. The mean K6 score was 3.7 ± 3.7 and 2 subjects (2.8%) were defined as having psychological distress. K6 scores were significantly correlated with body fat percentage, albumin level, and EQ-5D scores in total subjects. K6 scores were also significantly and negatively correlated with EQ-5D scores in men and women. In the 1-year follow-up group, changes in K6 scores were weakly and negatively correlated with changes in EQ-5D scores. Psychological distress was closely associated with HRQOL in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Coping strategies for psychological distress might be useful in improving HRQOL in patients on hemodialysis.

Highlights

The number of patients on chronic hemodialysis has been dramatically increasing and over 300,000 patients are reported to be on chronic hemodialysis in Japan [1]
Psychological distress was closely associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis
Coping strategies for psychological distress might be useful in improving HRQOL in patients on hemodialysis

Summary

Introduction

The number of patients on chronic hemodialysis has been dramatically increasing and over 300,000 patients are reported to be on chronic hemodialysis in Japan [1]. In addition to medical treatment, lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, diet, and a depressed mental state, are considered to be important. We have previously reported in a cross-sectional study that physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days is closely associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) [2]. There have been some reports that evaluated psychological distress and/or depressive state in patients on chronic hemodialysis [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. The K6 questionnaire is an index of psychological distress and an excellent measurement method [10,11,12,13,14]. There are no reports that accurately evaluated psychological distress using the K6 questionnaire in patients on chronic hemodialysis in Japan

Methods

Results

Conclusion