Prevalence of depression in maintenance hemodialysis patients and its correlation with adherence to medications

This study was designed to evaluate the adherence of maintenance hemodialysis patients to medications and its correlation with quality of life and depressive symptoms.

A total of 150 maintenance hemodialysis patients with a mean age of 56.4 ± 16.4 years (52.7% women) were included. Medication adherence was evaluated via the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire, based on which nonadherent patients were identified. Specifically, the Drug-Intake Percentage Questionnaire was used for evaluation of adherence to phosphate binders, quality of life was assessed with short Form-36 and depression by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

A BDI score of 15 and greater was documented in 40.7%, and nonadherence in 24.7% of the patients. Adherent patients were significantly older than nonadherent ones, had a lower mean parathyroid hormone level, and had lower BDI scores. The quality of life scores were not significantly different between adherent and nonadherent patients. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that BDI score was a significant predictor of nonadherence (odds ratio for each unit increase, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.18; P = .001). Overall, 55.5% of patients were taking more than 66% of their prescribed dose of calcium carbonate, while 10.3% and 53.8% of patients were taking more than 66% of their prescribed dose of aluminum hydroxide and sevelamer, respectively.

Adherence to medication was mainly associated with hemodialysis patients' depressive symptom scores. Control of depression may significantly improve adherence to medications and patient management.