PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODILYSIS FOR CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AT ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE: A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Abstract Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global problem with millions of people on treatment with hemodialysis (HD) for it worldwide. Depression is among the common comorbidities in such patients with important adverse implications. Despite this little is known about the prevalence and associated factors in our patients and remains underdiagnosed and undertreated because of it. Methods: A hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study was done from July to August 2019 by using a standardized questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression among the 59 patients undergoing HD for CKD at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC). Results: Participants had a mean age of 43.13 years with the majority being male (67.3 %) and belonging to the age group of 25 to 49 years of age (61 %). The most common cause of CKD was hypertension followed by diabetes. The prevalence of depression was 30.5% (18 patients) with most having mild depression. Among the studied associated factors female gender (P value 0.019), longer time on dialysis (P value 0.00) and having dialysis 2 times a week (P value 0.024) were all strongly associated with a higher prevalence. Conclusions: Prevalence of depression in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis is high and female gender, longer duration on HD and having dialysis two times a per week were associated with a higher prevalence. Routine screening of patients is recommended with appropriate management and possible referral of depressed patients.