Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in Southeast Nigeria

Objective: Chronic kidney disease is associated with several physical and psychosocial burdens which significantly impact the patient’s quality of life and functionality. This psychological impact of chronic kidney disease is heightened in developing countries with lots of compounding factors including poverty, poor infrastructure including poor health facilities, and non-existent/poorly implemented health policies.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study of patients attending Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu, from November 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019. Consecutive patients presenting to the renal unit of the hospital who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study from Medical out patient (MOP) and renal clinics. The clinical details including biodata and blood samples were collected from the patient. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using modification of diet in kidney diseases (MDKD) formula.

Results: A total of 153 patients were recruited, 63.8% were males with a mean age of 51.4 ± 15.5 years. Most of the patients (90.9%) were in chronic kidney disease stages 3-5; 90.2% had comorbidities and 56.2% were on hemodialysis; however, only 14% adhere to the hemodialysis prescription. The prevalence of neuropsychiatric manifestation was 71.2%, and depression and anxiety disorder were the most common with the prevalence of 58.2% and 20.3%, respectively. Other neuropsychiatric manifestations in this study include post-traumatic disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive–compulsive disorder, suicide ideation, and hypomania. Occupation, diabetes mellitus, and late stages of chronic kidney disease were predictors of neuropsychiatric disorder in chronic kidney disease patients.

Conclusion: Neuropsychiatric disorder of various types is a common presentation in patients with chronic kidney disease. Occupation, diabetes mellitus, and late stages of chronic kidney disease are risk factors for the development of neuropsychiatric disorder in chronic kidney disease patients.

Cite this article as: Okafor UH, Sunday EM, Obinna ES, Chibuike OP, Topaz A. Neuropsychiatric manifestations of patients with chronic kidney disease in Southeast Nigeria. Turk J Nephrol. 2022;31(2):148-154.