Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disturbances in Patients with Hemodialysis

Yun, Seok Jun; Yang, Chang Kook; Hahn, Hong Moo

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Psychological distresses and complaints in sleep, in addition to physical distresses such as pruritus and bone pain, are common in patients with hemodialysis. The purposes of this study were to investigate 1)the severity of physical distresses, 2)the severity of depression and anxiety, 3)the sleep disturbances, and 4)the correlation of the above variables in patients with hemodialysis.
METHODS
The patients with hemodialysis (male 87, female 66)and controls (male 58, female 55)completed a self-administered questionnaire package, which included Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and questions characterizing the reported sleep problems and quantitating the severity of the self-perceived physical and psychological conditions with linear visual analogue scales.
RESULTS
The results indicated that patients with hemodialysis complained of more physical distresses, more depressed mood, and more sleep disturbances suggesting insomnia, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, nightmare and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, etc. There were significant positive correlations of physical distresses, depressed mood and sleep disturbances. However, there were no significant differences in state and trait anxiety between both groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The authors suggest that the quality of life in patients with hemodialysis will be improved if their emotional and sleep disturbances are properly ameliorated.