Analysis of depression prevalence and associated influencing factors in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Background Hemodialysis is a common and effective treatment method for end-stage renal disease, but it is associated with adverse reactions, which may impair patients’ daily functioning and contribute to psychological burden. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of depression in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and its correlation with self-care ability. Methods A total of 152 MHD patients were enrolled in this study. Depression was assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), with SDS scores ≥ 53 classified as the depression group and 53 as the non-depression group. Self-care ability was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI). General clinical data and self-care ability were compared between the two groups. The correlation between depression and self-care ability (including basic mobility, spontaneous excretion, physical activity, and total scores) was analyzed in the depression group. Results Among 152 patients, 82 exhibited depressive symptoms (39 mild, 35 moderate, and 8 severe). The depression and non-depression groups showed statistically significant differences in occupation and education level ( p 0.05), but no significant differences in gender, employment status, marital status, comorbidities, or age ( p 0.05). The depression group had significantly lower scores in basic mobility, spontaneous excretion, physical activity, and BI total scores ( p 0.05). These self-care dimensions were negatively correlated with SDS scores in the depression group. Conclusion The prevalence of depression is high among MHD patients, and depressive symptoms are closely associated with impaired self-care ability.