Frequency of anxiety and depression among patients undergoing renal dialysis

Objective: To identify the frequency of anxiety and depression among patients undergoing renal dialysis. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Nephrology department of Chandka Medical College, Larkana from August to December 2022. Diagnosed cases of chronic kidney disease undergoing renal dialysis were enrolled. Depression and anxiety were assessed as per the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Depression and anxiety were categorized as normal, borderline, and abnormal as per HADS. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22. Results: Out of 175 participants with an average age of 54.26 +/- 15.42 years, 65.1% were males and 34.9% females. Duration of dialysis in 100 (57.10%) patients was more than one year, 48 (27.40%) had the duration for less than one year, and 27 (15.40%) had a duration of less than one month. Amongst all, 117 (66.90%) had anxiety disorder, 37 (21.10%) were borderline for anxiety disorder, and 21 (12.0%) were not having anxiety disorder. Depression was as follows: 92 (52.60%) were abnormal, 48 (27.40%) had borderline depression, and 35 (20.0%) were not having depression. Anxiety and depression were statistically significant, with the duration of renal dialysis having a p value of 0.019 and 0.001, respectively. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression among patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis are quite high and alarming.