Assessment of Pre and Post Dialysis Mental Impact on CKD Patients Registered with a Dialysis Unit of Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) significantly impacts patients’ physical and mental health. Dialysis, a critical intervention for CKD patients, has been known to affect both clinical and mental health outcomes, but there remains limited research on the specific changes in mental health associated with dialysis initiation. This study examines the demographic characteristics, clinical history, and mental health impact on CKD patients before and after dialysis.  Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design with a sample of 42 CKD patients undergoing dialysis. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, clinical history (including duration and frequency of dialysis), comorbidities, and mental health status assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Descriptive and correlational statistics, including Spearman’s correlation coefficients and Chi-Square tests, were utilized to assess associations between clinical variables and mental health outcomes. Result: The study population was predominantly female (62%) and aged between 36-55 years (50%). Most respondents had been living with CKD for 1-5 years (50%), with 76.2% undergoing dialysis twice weekly. Pre-dialysis, a majority (47.6%) exhibited minimal mental health impacts, while post-dialysis, a substantial increase in moderate mental impacts (38.1) was noted. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between post-dialysis mental health and duration of dialysis (r=0.38, p=0.03), while frequency of dialysis did not significantly impact mental health outcomes. Chi-Square tests indicated a borderline association between pre-dialysis mental health and dialysis frequency. (χ²=5.13, p=0.07). Conclusion: The findings suggest that dialysis duration is significantly correlated with post-dialysis mental health, highlighting the potential psychological burden associated with prolonged treatment. However, the frequency of dialysis sessions did not significantly impact mental health outcomes.