COVID-19 pandemic: depression and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Introduction: Depression and sleep disturbance are prevalent comorbidities in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depressive mood, sleep disturbance, and the fear of COVID-19 Scale in hemodialysis patients during the pandemic process. Material and Method: 116 hemodialysis patients followed up in our clinic and volunteered were included in the study. The socio- demographic characteristics of the patients and the laboratory test results studied in their routine follow-ups were obtained from the file records. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) were applied through face-to-face interviews. Results: 116 patients (70 males, 46 females) with a hemodialysis duration of 40 months (13-295) and age of 60.2±13.3 years were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their PSQI score as good sleeper (PSQI ≤ 5, n=66) and poor sleeper (PSQI >5, n=50). When evaluated by gender 28 (56%) female patients were in the poor sleeper group (p=0.002). Dialysis time was longer, BDI score and FCV-19 scale were higher in the poor sleeper group than the good sleeper group. PSQI score was positively correlated with dialysis time (r=0.259 p=0.005), BDI score (r=0.279 p=0.002), and FCV-19 scale (r=0.304 p=0.001). In the Multiple Logistic Regression analysis established to evaluate the risk factors affecting sleep quality, BDI was determined as an independent risk factor for poor sleep (OR: 1.084, 95%CI [1.021-1.152], p=0.008). Subjects were divided into two groups according to their BDI scores as those with depressive mood (BDI score ≥ 17, n=47) (40.5%) and those without (BDI score < 17, n=69) (59.5%). Thirty-two of the cases with depressive mood were women (68.1%) (p<0.001). There was a female predominance in the depressed patient group. The economic status was worse in the depressed group compared to the non-depressed group, and the PSQI score and FVC-19 scale were higher. In addition, BDI score was positively correlated with age (r=0.225 p =0.015), female gender (r=0.473 p=0.001), poor economic status (r=0.576 p =0.001), FVC-19 scale (r=0.330 p =0.001), while negatively correlated with serum albumin level (r=-0.279 p=0.003) and serum creatinine level (r=-0.2455 p =0.008). In the Multiple Logistic Regression model established, female gender (OR: 7.857, 95%CI [2.463-25.065], p<0.001) and poor economic status (OR: 7.569, 95%CI [2,300-24,908], p=0.001) were determined as independent risk factors for depressive mood. Conclusion: Nearly half of the patients had sleep disorders and depressive mood. Patients in the depressive mood and poor sleep group had a higher FVC-19 scale. We think it would be beneficial not to ignore the increased frequency of depressive mood and sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.