Study of depression and quality of life among hemodialysis patients: an Egyptian experience

Depression is common among hemodialysis patients. Even in developed countries, the prevalence of depression and its relation to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in dialysis patients has only been poorly investigated. Furthermore, similar reports from many developing countries such as Egypt are scarce. This might be due to cultural and social concerns. This study is intended to address this important issue. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the dialysis unit of the Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Egypt. Data of 76 chronic hemodialysis patients (mean age 43.2 ± 15 years; 54 males and 22 females) were retrieved. Psychiatric interview and psychometric assessment of depression and HRQOL (using an Arabic-adapted Beck Depression Inventory II and Short Form scale, respectively) were performed. Depression was diagnosed in 58 patients (76.3 %). Of them, 18 (23.7 %), 15 (19.7 %) and 25 patients (32.9 %) were suffering from mild, moderate and severe depression, respectively. Depressed dialysis patients group was comparable to the non-depressed group except for a higher prevalence of peripheral neuropathy (46.7 vs. 11.5 %; p = 0.034) and a less frequent use of iron therapy (52.7 vs. 86.7 %; p = 0.017). Except for role limitation due to physical problems, all HRQOL aspects were significantly worse among the whole group of depressed patients compared to the non-depressed group. Depression is common among our Egyptian hemodialysis patients. It seems to adversely affect almost all aspects of HRQOL. Therefore, a regular combined nephrology/psychiatry approach should be central to the medical care of hemodialysis patients in order to accurately assess for depression among them. Moreover, large national studies to delineate the prevalence and impact of depression among Egyptian hemodialysis patients are needed.