Factors Affecting Depressive Symptoms in Patients According to Haemodialysis Duration

Depression in patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) can cause significant physical and emotional problems.

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting depressive symptoms in HD patients according to HD duration (i.e., time since first starting HD).

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

In total, 470 HD patients in South Korea completed a questionnaire including validated measures of social support, self-efficacy, symptoms, self-management, quality of life and adaptation. The data were analysed using stepwise multiple regression to identify factors that influenced depressive symptoms in the participants according to HD duration.

The analysis of factors influencing depressive symptoms, segmented by haemodialysis duration into periods of less than 6 months, 6-11 months and more than 12 months, yielded models with explanatory powers of 56.8% (dialysis symptom index [DSI], quality of life, self-management, age, spouse), 62.8% (DSI, quality of life, social support), and 46.5% (DSI, psychosocial adaptation, self-efficacy), respectively.

The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for developing tailored depression interventions for HD patients, taking into account their HD duration.