A Study of Depression and Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis

혈액투석 중인 말기 신장질환 환자의 우울과 삶의 질

Objective : In this study, we investigated the prevalence of depression and its impact on the healthrelated Quality of life (HRQoL) of the patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on Hemodialysis. Method : The Quality of life (QOL) of patients was evaluated by HRQoL Questionnaire, "Medical Outcome Survey 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Korean Version (SF-36-K)". The patients on Hemodialysis in ESRD, were chosen from the hemodialytic room at Wonkwang University and Jeongeup-Asan Hospital. The number of patients was 95 (64 from Wonkwang University Hospital and 31 from Jeongeup-Asan Hospital) and all of them were above 19 years old. We performed various investigations to find a statistical correlations between HRQoL and physical & psychosocial factors such as the demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics (hemoglobin level and albumin level etc), and the score of Beck's depressive inventory (BDI). Results : The HRQoL value of patients on hemodialysis in ESRD is far poorer than the HRQoL reference value of Koreans and Americans, who are in normal healthly. The prevalence of depressive symptoms by BDI of the ESRD patients on hemodialysis is 68.6%, and age and depression have negative correlations with HRQoL of the patients. However, education level, serum albumin level, and social support have positive correlations with HRQoL. The patient group with depression has significantly poorer HRQoL than the group without depression. Conclusion : The HRQoL of ESRD patients on hemodialysis is not good in both physical and mental aspects. The prevalence of depression is very high and depression has negative impact of HRQoL of patients. Based on our study, it is essential to accompany with therapeutic Strategy to improve the HRQoL of ESRD patients on hemodialysis.