The Effect of Depression in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients on Inpatient Hospitalization Outcomes

Abstract

Background/Aims: Depression is common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD). Although, depression is associated with mortality, the effect of depression on in-hospital outcomes has not been studied as yet. Methods: We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample for trends and outcomes of hospitalizations with depression in patients with ESRD. Results: The proportion of ESRD hospitalizations with depression doubled from 2005 to 2013 (5.01-11.78%). Hospitalized patients on HD with depression were younger (60.47 vs. 62.70 years, p < 0.0001), female (56.93 vs. 47.81%, p < 0.0001), white (44.92 vs. 34.01%, p < 0.0001), and had higher proportion of comorbidities. However, there was a statistically significant lower risk of mortality in HD patients within the top 5 reasons for admissions. Conclusion: There were significant differences in demographics and comorbidities for hospitalized HD patients with depression. Depression was associated with an increased rate of adverse effects in discharged patients, and decreased in-hospital mortality.