Prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with chronic kidney disease

Background This study sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients and methods This is a comparative cross-sectional study of 69 patients with CKD, who were selected by systematic random sampling and matched (by age and sex) with a control group of 69 hospital workers. Eligible and consenting participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and were interviewed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 21. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results The mean age of the patients was 44.7 years (SD ±10.14 years). The patients included 53% females. The prevalence of depression among patients with CKD was 34.8% compared with 2.9% in the control group (P=0.0001). A significant relationship was found between the average monthly income and presence of depression in patients with CKD (P=0.015). There was no association found between the prevalence of depression and the stage of CKD. Conclusion Depression is very common in patients with CKD. Assessment for depression should be integrated into the care plan for patients with CKD, so as to ensure early detection and prompt intervention.