Psychosocial characteristics and self-reported functional status in patients on maintenance dialysis in Hungary

This survey was conducted to assess psychosocial problems and functional status among patients on maintenance dialysis in Hungary.

All adult patients (n = 4,321) receiving maintenance dialysis in the 56 dialysis centers in Hungary in 2006 were approached to participate in a national, cross-sectional survey. Patients completed a brief self-reported questionnaire. Socio-demographic parameters, disease-related information and data about functional status were collected. Self-rated health and depressive symptoms were also assessed.

Mean age was 62 ± 14 y; 52% were males. The prevalence of diabetes was 30%. 46% of participants reported having depressive symptoms. Significant functional limitation was frequent. In multivariable regression models, female gender, poor self-reported finances, less education, history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or cerebrovascular disease, the presence of visual or hearing impairment and difficulties with basic activities of daily living were independently associated with the presence of depressive symptoms. In a separate model, age, dialysis vintage, history of AMI or cerebrovascular disease, the presence of visual or hearing impairments, difficulties with basic activities of daily living and also having depressive symptoms were independently associated with self-rated health score.

Chronic dialysis patients in Hungary have disadvantaged socioeconomic status, frequent depressive symptoms and many functional limitations. Professional psychosocial help would be particularly important for this underprivileged patient population in addition to high quality dialysis to optimize outcomes.