Abstract:

Objective To explore the mental health status of young and middle-aged patients of maintenance dialysis at different time points and its change tendency. Methods From February 2020 to December 2022，a total of 108 dialysis patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease，who underwent maintenance dialysis were selected as participants. The general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were used to conduct the questionnaire survey at different time points，including diagnosis，initial dialysis，one month，two-months，three-month，six-month，nine-month and 12-month. Single factor repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the difference of mental health scores of the participants at different time points. Results The average score of mental health status of the participants was above 30 points within six months from diagnosis to regular dialysis，indicating poor mental health status. From nine to 12 months of regular dialysis，the average score of mental health status was above 22 points，suggesting the worsening of the mental health status. The results of single factor repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant change the mental health status of the participants at the eight time points（F=212.89，P<0.001）. The scores were all above 40 points from diagnosis to initial dialysis，with no statistical difference（P=0.103）. The score of mental health status decreased rapidly from one-month to three-month of dialysis，which reached statistical differences at each time point（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in mental health status scores at other times（P>0.05）. Conclusion The mental health status of young and middle-aged patients of maintenance dialysis displays different levels from diagnosis to regular dialysis of 12-month. Clinical staff should pay close attention to young and middle-aged dialysis patients from their diagnosis to regular dialysis for six months. Timely identification of patients with possible adverse psychological conditions and provide targeted psychological care are needed.

Key words: Dialysis, Stress, Psychology, Longitudinal Studies, Questionnaire, Mental health status