AN ANALYSIS OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE PATIENTS ON HAEMODIALYSIS IN A TEACHING TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Y. Arulprakash Md., *M. B. Abdul Rahuman, Dr. Kokila and Dr. G. Ramanujam

ABSTRACT

Background: Recently there is a rise in the global burden of chronic kidney disease. In India there is much more burden due to increased life expectancy and a rise in type-2 diabetes mellitus in population. Patients with Chronic renal failure with End stage renal disease have to depend on renal replacement therapy for their survival. ESRD is a multifaceted problem having medical and psychological consequences. Psychiatric problems like depression and anxiety are especially common among ESRD patients being treated with haemodialysis. Aim: The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among ESRD patients who are being treated with haemodialysis. Material and Method: A cross sectional study of 100 patients in and around Tirunelveli to evaluate the association and prevalence psychiatric morbidity in ESRD patients using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) 6.0 as a screening tool to diagnose mental illness in those patients. The data was analysed using SPSS version 21. Result & Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity was found in 45% of the study population. Depression was the most common psychiatric illness found followed by dementia and delirium. Conclusion: Patients on haemodialysis should be routinely screened for psychological disturbances and psychiatric morbidity to diagnose underlying mental illness at least once in every six months.

Keywords: Psychiatric morbidity, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Haemodialysis.