New Study Explores Depression and Its Impact on Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

When we talk about chronic kidney disease (CKD), we often focus on the physical aspects, like treatment options and medication. But there’s another side to this coin: mental health. A new study published in BMC Psychiatry on October 10, 2023, provides groundbreaking insights into how prevalent depression is among CKD patients. Here are the must-knows from this study and what they mean for healthcare moving forward.

How the Study Was Conducted

The researchers picked 314 patients from a kidney clinic at a teaching hospital to participate in the study, conducted from August to September 2017. The majority of these patients were males over 60. To measure depression levels, they used a well-known questionnaire called the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

What the Research Tells Us

1. Depression is Rampant: A jaw-dropping 97.5% of those surveyed were found to have some degree of depression.
2. Gender Doesn’t Matter: The rates of depression were equally high among both males and females.
3. Education Is a Factor: Lower education levels correlated with higher levels of depression.
4. People Don’t Know They’re Depressed: Nearly 78.3% of participants who said they weren’t depressed actually showed signs of moderate to severe depression.
5. Other Health Issues Are Also Present: Many of these patients also had conditions like hypertension (83.4%) and diabetes (56.1%).

What This Means for Healthcare

It's clear that the healthcare industry needs to treat CKD as a physical and mental health issue. Standard CKD treatments must now include mental health evaluations and support.

Actionable Takeaways

Here’s what needs to happen now:

• Mental Health Screenings: They should be a standard part of CKD treatment. No exceptions.
• Education Programs: Target these toward CKD patients, particularly those who may not have a high level of educational attainment.
• Holistic Treatment Plans: Roll out comprehensive healthcare plans that treat both the physical symptoms of CKD and associated mental health issues.

By addressing the mental health components of CKD, we can aim for a more holistic approach to treatment. This is not just about increasing lifespans; it's about improving the quality of life for CKD patients. And that, folks, could be a game-changer in the way we approach CKD treatment.

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Reference

Depression among patients with chronic kidney disease, associated factors, and predictors: a cross-sectional study

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‍About the Author

Rich Foreman brings over 30 years of technology leadership to his role of CEO and Co-Founder of KidneySoft.  As founding CTO, Rich led the team that developed the CordicoShield / CordicoFire Wellness App. Cordico was honored with the Sacramento Innovation Award in 2021. After achieving a 7 digit ARR, Cordico was acquired by Lexipol in 2020. Rich has a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington, an MPA from Troy State University and was an officer in the U.S. Navy. Rich co-authored his book, "Tap into the Mobile Economy." Rich's blog was listed in Top 20 Marketing Mobile Blogs of 2014. He has been featured on KCRA3, NEWS10, 1170 Tech AM PowerDrive, Business Radio Money 105.5, SiliconIndia, the Sacramento Business Journal, and the Sacramento Bee. Rich is also the Founding Director of the Sacramento Chapter of Startup Grind and served a term as Utility Commissioner for the City of Folsom. Rich is a regular contributor to TechWire.net and StartupSac. Rich was the Co-founder of Apptology which was named Small Business of the Year in 2014 by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber. He was also the Founding Chief Technology Officer at Cordico. Cordico was acquired by Lexipol in 2020.  Rich also served 4 years as a Naval Officer in the Civil Engineer Corps.

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Patient Education Disclaimer

This material is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. KidneyLuv makes every effort to provide information that is accurate and timely, but makes no guarantee in this regard. You should consult with, and rely only on the advice of, your physician or health care professional.

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