Psychological aspects of patients on haemodialysis

Abstract

This is a study of psychological problems in a group of 33 patients on maintenance haemodialysis in the Singapore General Hospital. There were 23 males and 10 females; their mean age was 36.7 years and mean duration of illness 5.1 years. Eight patients (24%) were found to have mild anxiety and depression, and 3 patients (9%) had moderate to severe depression. There was no significant relationship between psychiatric symptoms and sex or duration of illness, but young patients (below 37 years) tended to have fewer symptoms. Those who scored high on the 'N' scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaires were found to be more anxious and depressed. Twenty-five patients (89%) were in the acceptance phase of psychological reaction to the illness and 3 were still in the anger/depression phase. The phase of psychological reaction was not related to sex, age or duration of illness.