Abstract: SA-PO298
Prevalence of Depression in an Urban, Predominantly Black ESKD Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Session Information
- Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis: Potpourri
November 05, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 701 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Authors
- Ofoche, Chijioke K., Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Brown, Matthew A., Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Klemensen, Terry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Collins, Clifford, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine BV, Cupecoy, Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
- Timmons, Winnfred L., Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Lea, Janice P., Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Plantinga, Laura, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Cobb, Jason, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching implications in terms of physical and mental health ramifications, and minority communities have been disproportionately impacted; particularly, prevalence of depression increased. Throughout the pandemic, ESKD patients have continued thrice-weekly in-center hemodialysis sessions or home therapies. We explored whether there was an increase in depression prevalence after the start of the pandemic in our urban predominantly Black ESKD population.
Methods
We used data from social worker-administered PHQ-2 questionnaire depression screenings (required by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) in eligible patients treated at four Emory University affiliated in-center dialysis units and three home dialysis units from 2018-2019 (pre-pandemic) to 2020-2021 (pandemic). Excluded from this study were patients with no assessments or incomplete assessments. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests comparing the prevalence of depression in pre-pandemic versus pandemic period.
Results
In 2021, 91.5% of our patients were Black. There were 2433 in-center patient depression scores and 586 home dialysis patient depression scores. Excluded from the study were 1045 patients in the in-center and 214 patients in the home population. Of the 2433 patient scores analyzed in the in-center group, 1289 were pre-pandemic and 1144 were in the pandemic period. 155 (12%) in-center patient scores in the pre-pandemic period were classified as depressed while 128 (11.2%) in-center patient scores during the pandemic were classified as depressed (two-sided p-value 0.5272). Of the 586 home dialysis patient scores, 325 were pre-pandemic and 261 in the pandemic period. 71 (21.8%) patient scores in the pre-pandemic period had a positive depression screening while 29 (11.1%) patient scores during the pandemic period had depression (two-sided p-value 0.0006).
Conclusion
We did not observe an increase in depression prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic in in-center dialysis patients, and surprisingly observed a statistically significant decrease in depression among our home dialysis patients. The decrease in depression in our home dialysis patients during the pandemic may reflect being at home is a protective mechanism, and this observation should be further investigated.