Major depressive disorder in hemodialysis patients in China

Authors

Aimin Hu, Central South University, China
Zhimin Xue, Central South University, China
Tumbwene Mwansisya, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
An Zhou, Central South University, China
Weidan Pu, Central South University, China
Xudong Chen, Central South University, China
Meng Sun, Central South University, China
Peng Wang, Central South University, China
Hua Fan, Central South University, China
Zheng Wang, Central South University, China
Xuan Ouyang, Central South University, China
Zhening Liu, Central South University, China
Robert Rosenheck, Yale University, USA

Document Type

Article

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa

Abstract

Introduction

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been regarded as the most common psychiatric disorder among hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, few studies have investigated MDD in HD patients in Mainland China. This study sought to investigate the prevalence and treatment of MDD, as well as the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in this population.

Methods

Two hundred sixty HD patients were screened with the nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire, and the formal diagnosis of MDD was further assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Finally, patients meeting diagnostic criteria were compared with those who did not on demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

Among the 260 subjects, 26.2% screened positively and 10% were confirmed to have a diagnosis of MDD. Among HD patients with MDD, 69.2% had severe or very severe depressive symptoms. There was no evidence of a clinical diagnosis or of treatment for MDD in any of the patients' medical records. Those with shorter duration of HD, lower monthly income, and lower levels of blood urea nitrogen were significantly more likely to have a diagnosis of MDD.

Discussion

MDD is frequent in HD patients. Regular screening and professional diagnosis should be undertaken to increase the detection and treatment of MDD in HD patients. The effectiveness of interventions for MDD in HD patients deserves further research.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Asia- Pacific Psychiatry

Recommended Citation

Hu A, Xue Z, Mwansisya TE, Zhou A, Pu W, Chen X, Sun M, Wang P, Fan H, Wang Z, Ouyang X, Liu Z, Rosenheck R.(2013). Major depressive disorder in hemodialysis patients in China. Asia Pac Psychiatry.;7(1):78-84. doi: 10.1111/appy.12110.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.