Evaluation of the Frequency and Related Factors of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with End Stage Renal Disease Receiving Renal Replacement Therapies

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety and depression are frequently observed among patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). Our aim is to evaluate the frequency of depression and anxiety and their association with laboratory parameters, disease activity, performance status and sociodemographic properties of patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).

MATERIAL and METHODS: Laboratory parameters and socio-demographic features of 77 patients on PD and 83 patients on HD were recorded. The psychological status of patients was evaluated with the Beck Anxiety-Depression Scale and the performance status was determined with the Karnofsky Scale.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the frequency and severity of depression and anxiety. The percentage of patients with a university graduate degree, monthly income > 600 TL, and social insurance were significantly higher in the PD group (p<0.01). The frequency of depression was 2.66 times higher among female subjects p:0.02. In the HD group, the frequency of depression in patients with anxiety was 4.74 times higher than in patients without anxiety.

CONCLUSION: The present study showed that anxiety and depression are prevalent in patients receiving RRT and especially in female patients and university degree graduates. However, the frequencies were similar between patients on PD and HD. Patients on RRT should be monitored.