Depression in Iraqi hemodialysis patients

Affective disorders, particularly depression, are the commonest and probably the most important psychopathological complication of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Depression has the potential to alter adversely the medical outcome of ESRD patients and the psychological stress can affect patient's adherence to medication regimen. In Iraq as well as many other Arab countries, the true prevalence of depression among ESRD patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression among a cohort of Iraqi hemodialysis (HD) patients and relate it to their socio-demographic characteristics.

We recruited patients from two HD centers in Baghdad, excluding patients with history of depression or other psychiatric disorders prior to the initiation of HD. The Arabic version of diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders fourth edition (DSM-IV) was used to diagnose depression. Beck's Depression Inventory was used to grade its severity. Clinical and laboratory data of the study group were documented and related to the diagnosis of depression.

Seventy-five Iraqi patients on maintenance HD were included in the study. Patients' duration on HD ranged from six months to five years. The prevalence of depression among this cohort of HD patients was 80%. The prevalence of severe, moderate and mild depression was 25%, 50% and 25% respectively. The mean depression score was 17.1. Female gender, unemployment, and marital status had statistically significant associations with depression.

Depression is common in this group of Iraqi HD patients and its prevalence is comparable to the results of similar studies in other societies.