Depression and Quality of Life Among Haemodialysis Patients

Depression is likely to be the most common psychopathology in haemodialysis patients. It might affect their adherence to treatment and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the prevalence of depression in haemodialysis patients has not been definitively determined, and it is generally underdiagnosed and undertreated. Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients have diminished quality of life (QOL) scores compared with healthy persons. Moreover, patients on haemodialysis might have worse QOL than those on peritoneal dialysis.

To assess the level of depression and quality of life among haemodialysis patients.

The research design adopted for this study was quantitative method. The population includes patient undergoing haemodialysis in SMCH. The sample size was 60 selected through convenience sampling technique on the basis of criteria.

The findings revealed that 30 (50%) had severe depression, 26 (43.34%) had moderate depression, and 2 (3.33%) had borderline clinical depression and extreme depression, respectively. The mean score of overall quality of life score among haemodialysis patients was 34.66 ± 7.16.

The analysis revealed that haemodialysis patients had severe to moderate depression, which in turn reduces the quality of life of the haemodialysis patients.