Depression and cognitive distortions in hemodialysis patients with end stage renal disease: A case-control study

Background and objectives: Identifying cognitive distortions is essential for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that plays a key role in the treatment of depression. Depression seen in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has not been sufficiently diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to examine the cognitive distortions and schemas of patients diagnosed with ESRD. Methods:Fifty-six patients undergoing hemodialysis and forty-seven controls were enrolled in the study. A sociodemographic and clinic data form, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS), Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) were applied to all participants. Results: The prevalence of the psychiatric disorder in the case group was significantly higher than the prevalence of the psychiatric disorder in the control group. Compared with the control group, the HADS depression subscale was significantly high in the patient group. There was a positive correlation between the duration of hemodialysis and total scores of DAS as well as the dependency attitudes factor among the case group. The helplessness subscale scores of the ATQ were significantly higher in the case group compared to the control group. Conclusions: The duration of hemodialysis was related to dependency attitudes of cognitive distortions among patients with ESRD. Studies investigating cognitive modalities are needed to treat depression more successfully in this population. It will contribute to the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy of ESRD patients when these factors are taken into consideration. (C) 2021 Asociacion Universitaria de Zaragoza para el Progreso de la Psiquiatria y la Salud Mental. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found a significantly higher prevalence of depression in patients with ESRD compared to the control group, and the duration of hemodialysis was related to dependency attitudes of cognitive distortions. More research investigating cognitive modalities is necessary to treat depression more successfully in this population.