The diagnosis of major depression in renal dialysis patients

Controversy exists regarding the frequency of depression in renal dialysis patients. We have assessed an unselected sample of 99 dialysis patients using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). A current Major Depressive Episode (MDE) was diagnosed in 8.1% of the sample, one-half of whom had a past history of MDE. An additional 12.1% had only a past history of depression. In contrast to patients with no affective disorder, characteristics of patients with a current MDE included the following: a history of previous MDE; female sex; duration of dialysis less than or equal to 24 months; a younger mean age; solitary living arrangements; and unemployment. The following DSM-III criteria distinguished patients with MDE from those with no affective disorder: depressed mood or loss of interest; feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt; anorexia and weight loss; and slowed or mixed-up thoughts. DSM-III criteria that were common in the entire sample but not useful in distinguishing patients with MDE included loss of energy, insomnia, and decreased sexual interest. These results indicate that some DSM-III criteria are common in dialysis patients and therefore do not distinguish major depression, whereas other DSM-III criteria are more specific for MDE. Further, it is possible that the prevalence of MDE is greater in dialysis patients than in the general population.