The assessment of level of anxiety and depression in parents of children with nephrotic syndrome - coping with them and methods of support

Objective: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood has been described as a recurrent disease with detrimental influence on child health and family settings. Authors assessed the level of anxiety and depression in group of parents of nephrotic children. Material and methods: The study was a cross-sectional clinical trial of parents (46 subjects) whose children suffer from nephrotic syndrome in relation to parents of healthy children. All parents filled: original questionnaire concerning of clinical course of the disease, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and Courtauld Emotional Control Scale Inventory. Twenty parents of healthy children consisted a control group. Results: Parents whose children suffer from the nephrotic syndrome indicate significantly higher level of depression (Beck Depression Inventory 8.7 vs. 4.9, t = 2.18, p < 0.05). Fathers showed subjective sense of controlling their emotions when compared to mothers -CECS, total in fathers (55.1 vs. 47.2, t = 2.53, p < 0.05). Mothers have higher level of anxiety as a trait (STAI -trait 45.7 vs. 36.1, t = 3.19, p < 0.05) and as a state (STAI -state 42.8 vs. 33.4, t = 2.8, p < 0.05) and also the depression level (10.62 vs. 4.86, t = 2.66, p < 0.05). Parents who blame themselves of being responsible for the child's disease during first episode of the disease have statistically higher depression level. Conclusions: Parents of nephrotic children showed significantly higher level of depression when compared to parents of healthy children. Authors suggest to take care of mothers whose children suffer from the nephrotic syndrome to help them to decrease the level of anxiety and depression and fathers, because they have tendency of damming up their feelings.