Depression and psychological distress in patients with chronic renal failure: Prevalence and associated factors in a rural district in Sri Lanka

All Good Without Anything Good. Beyond Survival: Understanding the Psychosocial Experiences of Individuals With Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Caregivers in Sri Lanka

AIM

This study aims to explore the experiences of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing haemodialysis and their caregivers, focusing on the disease's impact and the treatment process.

BACKGROUND

In Sri Lanka, CKD is a growing health concern, particularly affecting farming communities and contributing to the strain on the biomedical healthcare system. Despite increasing awareness of CKD's physical implications, its psychosocial impact remains underexplored. This study seeks to fill this gap, aiming to inform culturally sensitive interventions and improve the healthcare system's responsiveness to the unique needs of Sinhala Buddhist individuals with CKD and their caregivers.

DESIGN

An exploratory qualitative study.

METHOD

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 individuals undergoing haemodialysis and 5 caregivers at a dialysis unit. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS

The analysis revealed three interrelated main themes: (1) impact on standard of living (quality of life), (2) coping strategies and (3) medical experience, with a notable influence of traditional beliefs and practices.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the need for a holistic approach to CKD management that integrates physical, emotional, psychological and social aspects, considering the significant role of traditional influences. Further research is essential to develop effective interventions that can enhance the quality of life for CKD.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The lived experiences of Sinhala Buddhist individuals with CKD and their caregivers served as a cornerstone, providing profound insights into the impact of the condition on their lives. Throughout the study, these participants played an instrumental role in refining the research's cultural sensitivity and relevance. Their engagement extended beyond the data collection phase to encompass feedback sessions, where they actively shared their perspectives. This ongoing collaboration ensured the study's depth and applicability to real-world experiences. By actively involving those directly affected by CKD, this collaborative approach safeguards that the study remains rooted in their voices and addresses their unique needs.

REPORTING METHOD

This study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines (the COREQ checklist).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is not a clinical trial, and thus, registration is not applicable.

Common mental disorders and associated factors among adult chronic kidney disease patients attending referral hospitals in Amhara Regional State

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are a wide term that includes disorders like depression, anxiety, and somatic manifestations. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at high risk of developing a common mental disorders, which leads to a lower survival rate, poor clinical outcome, longer hospitalization, increased health-care utilization, difficulty adhering to medications, an increased risk of initiation of dialysis, poor quality of life, and an increased risk of mortality. However, there is limited study done related to common mental disorders and associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients attending referral hospitals in Amhara Regional State. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized and Felege Hiwot Referral Hospitals from January to April 2020. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Common mental disorders were assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-Falk Institute (SRQ-F) tool. Data were entered into Epi Data Version 3.0 then exported into STATA 14 for analysis. Both bivariable and multi-variable binary logistic regressions were done to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 were declared as a statistically associated with common mental disorders. In this study, 424 CKD patients were included, with a response rate of 100%. Among screened CKD patients, 40.8% was positive for common mental disorders, with a 95% CI (36-45%). Independent predictors of common mental disorders among CKD patients were poor social support [(AOR 3.1, 95% CI (1.67-5.77)], family history of mental disorders, [AOR 3.6, 95% CI (1.12-11.8)], comorbidity [AOR 1.7, 95% CI (1.03-2.78)], being female [AOR 2.69, 95% CI (1.72-4.20)], and duration of CKD (AOR 3.5; 95% CI (2.28-5.54). Two out of five CKD patients screened for CMDs were found to be positive. Common mental disorders were more common among CKD patients with poor social support, a family history of mental disorders, comorbidity, being female, and the duration of CKD. Therefore, screening CKD patients for common mental disorders is recommended.

Factors affecting the quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa: A descriptive survey

Background

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a world-wide public health problem that requires renal replacement therapy in the form of dialysis. Although dialysis prolongs the patients' lifespan, it is not necessarily associated with an improved quality of life (QoL).

Aim

To determine the factors affecting the QoL of patients with ESRD on dialysis.

Setting

The study was conducted in three public sector hospitals in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Methods

A convenience sample of 316 participants was used. The World Health Organization - QoL Biomedical Research and Education Foundation (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument was used and adapted to include economic factors. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

Majority had poor QoL through economic (98.1%), psychological (94.6%), physical (70.3%), and social factors (55.1%). Factors affecting their QoL were influenced by the type of dialysis, and statistical significances were noted in psychological and social factors (p < 0.0001), with those on peritoneal dialysis being affected the most. Overall, majority of patients (91.7%, n = 288) had a score of less than 50, which indicated poor QoL.

Conclusion

Poor QoL is associated with increased risk of mortality and hospitalisation in patients with ESRD and is mainly influenced by a broad range of dimensions of life.

Contribution

In addressing challenges encountered by patients, study findings may influence the policymakers to intervene in view of all the dimensions of QoL, to prolong life.

Factors Associated with Symptom Burden in Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Prospective Study

People with end stage renal disease and undergoing hemodialysis experience a high symptom burden that impairs quality of life. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, dynamicity and determinants of symptom burden among middle-aged and older adult hemodialysis patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study together with a longitudinal assessment was used. A total of 118 and 102 hemodialysis patients were assessed at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. Validated questionnaires were used to assess the symptom burden, stress, illness perception and social support. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with symptom burden. The median number of symptoms experienced was 21 (Interquartile Range (IQR); 18−23) and 19 (IQR; 13−22) at baseline and 6 months, respectively. Having elevated stress (β = 0.65, p ≤ 0.005) and illness perception (β = 0.21, p = 0.02) were significantly predicted symptom burden at baseline (F (4, 112) = 55.29, p < 0.005, R2 = 0.664). Stress (β = 0.28, p = 0.003), illness perception (β = 0.2, p = 0.03), poor social support (β = −0.22, p = 0.01) and low body weight (β = −0.19, p = 0.03) were the determinants for symptom burden at 6 months (F (5, 93) = 4.85, p ≤ 0.005, R2 = 0.24). Elevated stress, illness perception level, poor social support and low post-dialysis body weight were found to be determinants for symptom burden. Attention should be given to psychosocial factors of hemodialysis patients while conducting assessment and delivering care to patients.

Health related quality of life in chronic kidney disease; a descriptive study in a rural Sri Lankan community affected by chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCTION

The current epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka is ascribed to the exponential increase in the number of CKD patients, which cannot be attributed to any known etiology (CKDu). The aim of this study is to describe the health related quality of life (HRQOL) and the associated factors among CKD/CKDu patients in a rural district in Sri Lanka.

METHODS

A community based cross-sectional study included 1174 CKD/CKDu patients. Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form was used to assess the HRQOL, while Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12 and CKD Symptom Index - Sri Lanka were used to assess presence of depression, psychological distress and symptom burden respectively. Three summary scores; kidney disease (KDSC), physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) are derived from Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF™).

RESULTS

Mean age of the study population was 58.3 years (standard deviation (SD) 10.7). Median KDSC (58.4; inter-quartile range (IQR) 54.2-63.4), was higher than the median scores of PCS (35.0; IQR 26.2-41.9) and MCS (58.4; IQR 54.2-63.4). Multiple linear regression revealed low income, advanced stages of CKD, symptom burden, being positive for depression and psychological distress were significantly associated with low HRQOL.

CONCLUSION

The HRQOL of the CKD patients in this rural Sri Lankan population was found to be poor. Superior socio-economic status, less physical and psychological symptom burden were found to be independently associated with better HRQOL. Periodical screening of the CKD patients for depression and psychological distress and measures to alleviate symptom burden seem to be important to improve the HRQOL of these patients.

The Associations of Family Functioning, General Well-Being, and Exercise with Mental Health among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the relationships of family functioning, general well-being, and exercise with psychological distress. Furthermore, we investigated the special roles of general well-being and exercise on the association between family functioning and psychological distress.

METHODS

Of 769 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients participated in the cross-sectional study which consisted of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Family APGAR Scales, and the General Well-Being Schedule. The collected data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis and path analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of psychological distress was 72.3%. Family functioning, general well-being and exercise were associated factors of psychological distress (p<0.05). The indirect effect of family functioning on psychological distress was partially mediated by general well-being (Effect=-0.08, 95% CI=-0.11, -0.04). In addition, the effect of family functioning on general well-being was moderated by exercise (Index=-0.092, SE=0.033, 95% CI=-0.159, -0.029).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of psychological distress among ESRD patients was high. Family functioning, general well-being and exercise were associated with psychological distress. Family functioning could affect psychological distress partially by affecting general well-being. Furthermore, exercise had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between family functioning and general well-being.

Gender difference in the association of coping styles and social support with psychological distress among patients with end-stage renal disease

Objectives

The study aimed to explore the association of coping styles and social support with psychological distress among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as well as gender differences in these associations.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 769 ESRD patients was conducted at 25 hospitals in Qiqihar City, China. All information was collected using structured questionnaires that were self-administered by the patients. Patients' psychological health status, coping styles and perceived social support were measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Student's t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and binary logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 72.3% of participants reported psychological distress, and the prevalence of distress was higher in females (77.0%) than in males (68.8%). The usage of the acceptance-resignation coping style was positively related to psychological distress (B = 0.459, P < 0.001). Social support level was negatively associated with psychological distress (B = -0.049, P < 0.001). The use of the confrontation style was negatively related to psychological distress in females (OR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.78-0.96]) but not in males (OR = 0.98, 95% CI [0.91-1.06]) (P for interaction term = 0.007).

Conclusions

Greater use of the acceptance-resignation style and lower social support are related to a higher risk of psychological distress. Greater use of the confrontation style is related to a lower risk of psychological distress in females but not in males.

Validity and internal consistency of EQ-5D-3L quality of life tool among pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka, a lower middle-income country

Objective

EQ-5D-3L is a generic QOL tool used mainly in economic evaluations. Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is rising in Sri Lanka. Assessing the validity of generic QOL tools creates new opportunities of their utilization among patients with CKD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1036 CKD patients, selected using the simple random sampling technique. The validity was tested with six a-priori hypotheses. These included construct validity assessments, evaluating convergent validity and performing known group comparisons. EQ-5D-3L, Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used to assess QOL. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-20) and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) were used to assess the presence of depression and psychological distress respectively. Internal consistency of the whole tool and when each item is removed was assessed by Cronbach alpha.

Results

The response rate was 99.2%. Majority of participants were males (n = 646,62.4%) in the age category of 41–60 (n = 530; 51.2%). Most were in either stage 4 or 5 of CKD (n = 646,75.1%). The summary measures of SF-36, positively and significantly correlated with the EQ-5D-3L index and VAS scores (p<0.001). EQ-5D-3L QOL scores were significantly different between the group with depression and without as measured by CES-D-20 (p<0.001). Assessed using GHQ-12, similar significance was detected between the group with psychological distress and without (p<0.001). The Cronbach alpha was 0.834 and when each item was removed, ranged from 0.782 to 0.832.

Conclusion

EQ-5D-3L is a valid generic QOL tool with satisfactory internal consistency to be used among CKD patients in the pre-dialysis stage.