Factors associated with risk of suicide in patients with hemodialysis

Suicide risk (SR) has been associated to several factors; one of them is the presence of psychiatric disorders. This study has the objective of investigating the relationship between the risk factors for suicidal behavior in patient bearers of chronic renal illness who are undertaking hemodialysis treatment. Sixty-nine undertook a short, structured diagnostic interview. The prevalence of some psychiatric disorders showed itself greater in the sample than that in the population in general. A significant positive correlation was found between SR, major depressive episode, and agoraphobia without panic disorder. The religiosity of the patient was also evaluated as an influencing factor of SR. Nonreligious patients had 8 times more chance to have SR compared to religious patients. However, the referred effect only occurred in nondepressed religious patients. The latter indicated that religiosity had its effect annulled in depressed patients. This study shows the importance of measures of intervention in mental health, mainly in relation to prevention and treatment of major depressive episode with a view to reducing SR.