The effect of depression and anxiety on the performance status of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis

Individuals who are diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergo major changes in lifestyle. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the relationship between patients who undergo hemodialysis (HD) and their performance status, and how it is influenced by the presence of the level of depression and anxiety. A total of 50 patients were recruited from HD centers in and around Chennai. The patients were screened using the General Health Questionnaire to screen for co-morbid psychiatric conditions. The patients were assessed for depression and anxiety, and their performance status was assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory, Beck’s Anxiety Inventory, and Karnofsky Performance Status. The study findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between anxiety and depression in ESRD patients. The findings also indicated that depression and anxiety are positively correlated with the performance status of ESRD patients. The duration on, as well as the frequency of dialysis, also correlated with the performance status of ESRD patients. It can be concluded that anxiety and depression are prevalent among ESRD patients and that they interfere with the performance status; additionally, duration on dialysis also interferes with performance status. Addressing depression and anxiety can help in enhancing the patient’s performance status.