MENTAL HEALTH OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE UNDERGOING DIALYSIS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition with rising global prevalence, often requiring long-term dialysis to sustain life. While dialysis extends survival, it imposes significant psychological and physical stress on both patients and their caregivers. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue are common yet underrecognized consequences of this burden. Understanding the psychological impact of dialysis and the role of social support is essential to improving the quality of life and treatment outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Objective: To investigate the impact of dialysis frequency and duration on the mental health of CKD patients and their caregivers, and to assess the level of perceived social support among them.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, over two months, involving 167 participants, 84 patients undergoing dialysis and 83 primary caregivers. Consecutive sampling was used. Mental health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), fatigue levels were evaluated with a Fatigue Pictogram, and perceived social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied to determine associations.

Results: Among patients, 23.4% experienced extreme fatigue, 17.4% had clinical anxiety, and 23.9% suffered from depression. Among caregivers, 10.2% reported extreme fatigue, 11.4% had anxiety, and 13.2% had depression. A significant association was observed between fatigue and duration of dialysis (p = 0.022), and between social support and dialysis frequency (p = 0.010). Moderate support was reported by 57.4% of participants, high support by 27.5%, and low support by 14.9%.

Conclusion: Dialysis patients and their caregivers face considerable psychological distress, with fatigue, anxiety, and depression being prevalent. Longer dialysis duration increases fatigue, while better social support correlates with improved mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the need for integrated psychological care in dialysis programs.