Anxiety Disorders and Related Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics in Kidney Transplant Candidates: A...

Patients with chronic kidney disease frequently face psychological challenges and emo-tional strain, increasing the risk of psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety disorders in kidney transplant candidates across different stages of chronic kidney disease and to explore related sociodemographic and clinical factors.

We reviewed 5 years of medical records from a transplant center, including 802 adult patients with chronic kidney disease who were referred for transplant evaluations and received at least 1 psychiatric assessment. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without anxiety disorders.

Average age of included patients was 48 ± 14 years, with 76% being male and 74% living in urban areas. Anxiety disorders were identified in 18% of patients, with 5.6% also diagnosed with depression. Independent risk factors for anxiety disorders included being female (odds ratio = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.27-3.01), unemployment (odds ratio = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.045-2.76), history of failed kidney transplant (odds ratio = 24.07; 95% CI, 10.78-53.70), and prior psychiatric history (odds ratio = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.18-3.62).

Anxiety disorders are common in patients with chronic kidney disease and can significantly impair quality of life and daily functioning. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive psychosocial evaluations in this group, focusing on factors like sex, employment status, psychiatric background, and previous transplant outcomes.