Symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in a sample of 82 patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis were assessed using the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Scale. Mean anxiety and depression scores, were found to be significantly higher than those of normal subjects. The frequency of personal disturbance and personal illness were also higher in the patient sample. Examination of the effects of demographic, illness and treatment variables on the questionnaire scores and categories revealed that women had higher anxiety scores than men, and that they were more frequently personally disturbed and personally ill; the effects of other variables were not significant. Factor analysis of the symptoms measured by the scale revealed four factors: anxiety, suicidal ideation, mood intensity, and ruminative anxiety.