Associations between Social Support and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Abstract

Key Points Mean baseline levels of perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) were comparable with other chronically ill populations.Higher Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support scores were correlated with lower levels of fatigue, pain, depressive symptoms, anxiety, better sleep quality, and health-related quality of life (Short Form-12 Mental Component Score).Moderation analyses revealed male sex and non-Hispanic ethnicity resulted in stronger positive associations of perceived social support with Short Form-12 Mental Component Score. Background Patients with ESKD experience high symptom burden, which has been associated with a negative effect on their interpersonal relationships. However, there is limited research exploring associations of social support and patient-reported outcomes among patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods This study is a secondary, cross-sectional analyses of the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support [MSPSS]) at baseline. The study examined the extent to which perceived social support is associated with pain, depression, fatigue, anxiety, sleep, and health-related quality of life (Short Form-12 [SF-12] Mental Component Score [MCS] and Physical Component Score. Results Of the 160 randomized patients, the mean (SD) age was 58±14 years; years on dialysis was 4.1±4.2; 45% were female; 29% Black, 13% American Indian, and 18% Hispanic; 88% had at least high school education; and 27% were married. Mean baseline levels of perceived social support were comparable with other chronically ill populations. At least high school education (P = 0.04) and being married (P = 0.05) were associated with higher total MSPSS scores. Higher MSPSS scores were correlated with lower levels of fatigue (r=0.21, P = 0.008; higher fatigue scores signify lower fatigue), pain (r=−0.17, P = 0.03), depressive symptoms (r=−0.26, P < 0.001), anxiety (r=−0.23, P = 0.004), better sleep quality (r=−0.32, P < 0.001), and SF-12 MCS (r=0.26, P < 0.001). Moderation analyses revealed male sex and non-Hispanic ethnicity resulted in stronger positive associations of perceived social support with SF-12 MCS. Conclusions The level of perceived social support observed among patients receiving thrice-weekly hemodialysis in Technology Assisted Stepped Collaborative Care was similar to those observed in other chronic conditions. Because of the associations between perceived social support and patient-reported outcomes, particularly psychosocial and behavioral health outcomes, targeting social support appears to be warranted among patients receiving hemodialysis. Clinical Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03440853.