ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2020 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2020, please visit the archives.

Abstract: PO0749

Mental Health Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic of Hemodialysis Patients

Session Information

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

  • Sabath, Ernesto, Servicios de Salud del Estado de Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Querétaro, Mexico
  • Morales-Montes, Edgar, Servicios de Salud del Estado de Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Querétaro, Mexico
Background

Patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment are a particularly vulnerable population as previous studies have shown that they are at higher risk to develop anxiety, depression, and diminished health-related quality of life. During the COVID-19 pandemic patients and health professionals are under insurmountable psychological pressure which may lead to various psychological problems. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of this pandemic on mental health and quality of life in low-income HD patients.

Methods

Observational, cross-sectional study done in low-income HD patients and matched healthy controls from March-April 2020. The survey collected basic demographic and laboratory data. To assess mental status 3 different scales were used: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36). An evaluation of media interest was added.

Results

152 HD patients and 33 control subjects were included. The median age was similar in both groups (HD 51±17 vs 48±10 yrs p=NS). Literacy was significantly higher in the control group. The control group showed significantly higher interest media (p=0.03); 60.5% of HD patients showed none or low emotional impact with this pandemic (42% in control group p=0.02). Severe anxiety was more prevalent in the control group (22.6 vs 0% p= 0.01). The ISI scale showed also significantly higher sleep impairment in control subjects (42.6 vs 20.5% p=0.04).
In the HD group, the prevalence of GAD symptoms was higher in females than men (p=0.005), and one of the most influential factors associated with GAD symptoms was to live in a rented home. Patients ≤50 years had significantly higher GAD symptoms (0.01). Unemployed HD patients showed the lowest K-DQOL scores.

Conclusion

HD patients had less emotional impact, lower GAD-7 and ISI scores symptoms than healthy controls. To live in a rented home and unemployment were important risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety and sleep disorders.

Funding

  • Government Support - Non-U.S.