Depression on Dialysis

Abstract

Depression is the most common psychopathological condition among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), yet it is still under-recognized and misdiagnosed. Depression reduces quality of life and has a negative clinical impact upon sufferers with chronic illness, including ESRD. This article discusses the negative effects of depression among the ESRD population treated with dialysis, the prevalence of the condition, the methodological issues involved with screening and treatment, and the possible psychological and somatic causes. There is a need to identify the prevalence of the disorder by effective methods, overcome the current issues surrounding depression assessment and to undertake trials of suitable treatments.

Depression and coping in adults undergoing dialysis for end‐stage renal disease

“…Less depression was noted among patients who had good interpersonal and treatment control, and greater understanding of their illness (Ibrahim et al, 2011c). The routine of dialysis treatment and varying levels of physical health may also have impact on feelings of hopelessness, which may induce episodes of depression (Chilcot et al, 2008).…”

Physical activity level and depressive symptoms in patients undergoing hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study

“…These patients experience multiple losses, including kidney and sexual function, time and mobility, in addition to having fear of death and depending on treatments 13 . However, as the physical aspects of the disease prevail 12 , the diagnosis of depression is not often performed 13 . According to Condé et al 14 , depressive symptoms favor lower adherence to physical exercises.…”

<div>Psychosocial predictors of nonadherence to medical management among patients on maintenance dialysis</div>

“…Additionally, the prevalence of anxiety, which has not been examined as much as depression, among dialysis patients has been estimated between 11% and 26%. 33 However, using different assessment tools and even different cutoff levels within the same tool, a wide range of depression rates ranging between 5% and 70% 8,34 and anxiety rates between 10% and 50% have been reported. 7,33 The prevalence of both depression and anxiety were obviously several folds higher in dialysis patients than in the general population.…”

“…[5][6][7] The prevalence of depression and anxiety has been discussed in several studies, with a wide range of variabilities probably due to the populations examined, methods of diagnosis, and dialysis modality. 7,8 Depression has been specifically linked to a poor quality of life and increased risk of mortality. 9,10 Additionally, psychiatric and physical comorbidities have been reported to greatly affect the quality of life in dialysis patients.…”