Psychosocial characteristics and self-reported functional status in patients on maintenance dialysis in Hungary

Aims: This survey was con-ducted to assess psychosocial problems and functional status among patients on main-tenance dialysis in Hungary. Methods: All adult patients (n = 4,321) receiving mainte-nance dialysis in the 56 dialysis centers in Hungary in 2006 were approached to partici -pate in a national, cross-sectional survey. Pa-tients completed a brief self-reported ques-tionnaire. Socio-demographic parameters, disease-related information and data about functional status were collected. Self-rated health and depressive symptoms were also assessed. Results: Mean age was 62 ± 14 y; 52% were males. The prevalence of diabe-tes was 30%. 46% of participants reported having depressive symptoms. Significant functional limitation was frequent. In mul-tivariable regression models, female gender, poor self-reported finances, less education, history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or cerebrovascular disease, the presence of visual or hearing impairment and difficulties with basic activities of daily living were in-dependently associated with the presence of depressive symptoms. In a separate model, age, dialysis vintage, history of AMI or cere -brovascular disease, the presence of visual or hearing impairments, difficulties with basic activities of daily living and also having de-pressive symptoms were independently asso-ciated with self-rated health score. Conclu-sions: Chronic dialysis patients in Hungary have disadvantaged socioeconomic status, frequent depressive symptoms and many functional limitations. Professional psycho-social help would be particularly important for this underprivileged patient population in addition to high quality dialysis to optimize outcomes.