Beyond the Dialysis Machine: The Silent Burden of Psychological Distress

Abstract

Objectives Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive and irreversible condition that frequently advances to end-stage renal disease, requiring long-term haemodialysis. While dialysis sustains life, it imposes a substantial psychological burden due to treatment demands, lifestyle restrictions, and socioeconomic challenges. Despite this, psychological aspects of care remain under-recognized in routine clinical practice, particularly in resource-limited settings. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence and level of psychological distress among patients undergoing haemodialysis and to determine its association with selected socio-demographic and clinical variables. Material and Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 97 patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis at a tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru, Karnataka. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured demographic and clinical proforma along with the kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for analysis, with a significance level set at p <0.05. Results The findings revealed that the majority of patients experienced moderate psychological distress (46.4%), followed by mild (16.5%) and severe distress (14.4%), while 22.7% were likely to be well. The mean distress score was 25.04 ± 5.35, indicating an overall moderate level of distress. Among the variables studied, occupation showed a statistically significant association with psychological distress ( p = 0.01), whereas other socio-demographic and clinical variables did not demonstrate significant associations. Conclusion Psychological distress is highly prevalent among patients undergoing haemodialysis, with most experiencing moderate levels. The findings highlight the need for routine psychological screening and integration of psychosocial interventions into dialysis care. Nurses play a crucial role in the early identification and management of distress, contributing to improved patient outcomes and quality of life.