Depression and anxiety in patients undertaken renal replacement therapy in Kashan during 2008

Renal replacement therapies (RRT) in end stage renal disease consist of different therapeutic methods. In this regard the hemodialysis and renal transplantation are two main methods with their own physical and mental consequences. Despite the controversy in results, it is generally accepted that transplanted patients have a better quality of life. Depression and anxiety which are two main problems of RRT can negatively affect the results of treatment. In the present study both of these problems were evaluated in hemodialyzed and transplanted patients in Kashan during the year 2008. This is a cross- sectional study in which all hemodialysis and posttransplantation patients were evaluated using two standard questionnaires for depression and anxiety. The higher scores were representatives of higher degrees of depression and anxiety. The Results were analyzed with Man- Witney, Chi-square and multiple regression statistical methods. In this syudy 63 hemodialysis and 100 transplantation patients were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 40.6±14 and 55.3±14.5 in transplantation and hemodialysis patients, respectively. 55.6% of hemodialysis patients were female, while these women consisted 41% of the transplanted patients. The mean depression score was 21.3±11.5 and 12.1±11.5 in hemodialysis and transplanted patients, respectively (p<0.0001). Also the mean anxiety score was 12.6±8.8 and 9.6±8.2 in hemodialysis and transplanted patients, respectively. In both groups factors such as age, education, marital status and the duration of treatment showed no significant relationship with depression and anxiety. The transplanted women significantly had higher depression (p=0.004) and anxiety scores (p=0.008). In transplanted patients cardiac disease and hypertension had significant relationship with depression and anxiety (p<0.02). Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent and serious problems of RRT. These problems, especially in hemodialysis patients can result in dangerous consequences, such as poor compliance and self care. It is recommended that in these patients routine depression and anxiety assessment should be a part of treatment program.