Psychiatric morbidity, quality of life and caregiver burden in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric illnesses such as, depression, adjustment disorders, delirium, and anxiety disorders are common in dialysis patients and are likely to reduce patient′s quality of life (QOL). Presence of chronic medical and psychiatric illness in patients increases burden on caregivers. Aims: The aim was to assess sociodemographic profile and to estimate the prevalence and type of psychiatric morbidity, QOL in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Furthermore, the study aimed to assess perceived burden in caregivers of these patients. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at hemodialysis unit of an urban tertiary care hospital. Fifty consecutive patients undergoing hemodialysis were included. Sociodemographic profile was assessed through semi-structured proforma. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV Text Revised Criteria and World Health Organization QOL Scale-BREF scale was used to measure patient′s QOL. Perceived burden in caregiver was assessed using Zarit Burden Interview. Data obtained were tabulated and analyzed using the SPSS software version 17. Results: Majority of patients was males, in middle-age group, secondary educated, unemployed and married. Psychiatric diagnosis was observed in 64% of the patients. Most common psychiatric diagnoses were major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Overall QOL score in patients was significantly low in those with psychiatric morbidity. Caregiver′s burden was significantly high in those caring for patients with co-morbid psychiatric illness. Conclusions: Psychiatric morbidity in hemodialysis patients is high and impairs their QOL. Perceived burden of care in their caregivers is high in the presence of psychiatric co-morbidity.