RESUMO
The aim was to address the prevalence of depression in a group of patients on hemodialys and determine its effect on quality of life [QoL]. This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st March, 2007 and 28th Feb., 2008 in a district of western Turkey. The study group included 294 hemodialys patients. The questionnaire included the patients' sociodemographic characteristics, Beck Depression Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Chi-square test and Spearman correlation analyses were used for statistical analyses, with a p value lower than 0.05 being considered significant. The average age of the study group was 55.89 +/- 15.22 years [range=19-86]. Prevalence of depression was found to be 27.9%, and was significantly higher in women, in those with older age, in those with lower level of education and in unemployed patients [p < 0.05 in each one]. The mean scores received from all domains in the SF-36 were significantly lower in depressive patients [p < 0.001 in each one]. As the scores that patients received from the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] increased, the scores obtained from all domains in SF-36 showed decrease [p < 0.001, for each one]. Depression adversely affecting QoL is a common health problem in hemodialysis patients. Thus, periodic screenings should be done for detection, prevention and control of depression