Loneliness Level and Its Associated Factors in Patients With Hemodialysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of loneliness and its relationship with socioeconomic and health conditions, social support, family functionality, and depressive symptoms in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This cross-sectional study involved analysis of a secondary data, collected in 2019 among 80 patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Participants completed the following instruments: socio-demographic, economic, and health condition characterization, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Family APGAR. On average, the sample was mostly female (55%), white (65%), and the mean age was 59.63 years. In the perception of loneliness, the highest index was (55%), moderately high. Social support scored the worst in the Positive Social Interaction domain. The prevalance of severe depression was approximately 29%. Family functioning was positive, with a good score (69%). There was a weak negative correlation between loneliness and all domains of Social Support, besides Family Functioning.