Depression and Anxiety in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Single Center Study

Kim, Sung Rok

Abstract

PURPOSE
Psychiatric problem such as depression and anxiety is prevalent and is associated with morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. But it is difficult to assess and is undertreated. The aim of this study is investigating the prevalence and the risk factors for depression and anxiety among patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.
METHODS
We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS. Korean version) as a screening test for 104 hemodialysis patients in a single center. Univariate analysis and mutltivariable logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between the psychiatric problem (depression and anxiety) and other patients' factors (social economic factors and medical conditions).
RESULTS
The mean age was 58.2+/-12.1 years and the causes of ESRD were diabetes mellitus (50%), hypertension (27.9%), chronic glomerulonephritis (8.7%), and other or unknown causes (14%). The prevalence of depression was 58.7%, and univariate analysis revealed that comorbidity index, Karnofsky index, serum creatinine, and age were statistically significantly correlated with depression. But Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only Karnofsky index was independently associated with depression [odds ratio (OR)=5.834, p=0.007]. The prevalence of anxiety was 27.9% and only karnofsky index was significantly correlated with anxiety on both univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis.
CONCLUSION
Depression and anxiety were prevalent in hemodialysis patients. Poor performance status was highly associated with depression and anxiety.