Depression Among Dialysis Dependent end-Stage Renal Disease Patients: A Study from Tertiary Care Hospital in Bahawalpur

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of depression among dialysis dependent end-stage renal disease patients, associated factors and effect on patients’ compliance and clinical performance parameters.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Nephrology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur Pakistan, from Apr 2017 to Mar 2018.

Methodology: End-stage renal disease patients above 16 years of age who were on maintenance haemodialysis for more than 6 months were requested to complete the questionnaire of Urdu version of Patient Health Questionnaire 9. The information about missed treatments, shortened sessions, fluid overload and monthly laboratory data was obtained from medical records. Patient Health Questionnaire 9 score was calculated for all the patients and categorized as mild (5), moderate (10), moderately severe (15) and severe (20) depression.

Results: There were 146 dialysis dependent end-stage renal disease patients (95 males, 51 females) with mean age of 45.1±14.3 years. Duration of dialysis dependence was significantly higher among females (p=0.022). Out of 146 patients, 116 had depression and 27(18.5%) had severe depression. Patients with depression were younger (p=0.037) and lack of social support was significantly associated with depression (p=0.018). Severe depression was significantly more frequent among females (p=0.041). Serum albumin was significantly low among patients with depression (p=0.044).

Conclusion: Depression is common among haemodialysis dependent end-stage renal disease patients. It is common among young patients and those who lack social support and it is associated with hypoalbuminemia.