Quality of life and its association with psychiatric morbidity in chronic kidney diseases(CKD) patients in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a progressive life threatening illness which may be complicated by psychological disorders and may invariably reduce the quality of life and survival of those affected. However, this negative effect on the quality of life of this patient population may be reduced if such psychological problems are recognized early and necessary interventions given.Aim: To determine the relationship between health related quality of life and the mental health of patients with chronic kidney disease.Methods: The health related quality of life of 113 consecutive adult chronic kidney disease patients attending renal clinic of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital was determined using the 26 items WHOQOL-BREF, while the mental health of the patients were assessed with Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, version 2.1. Psychiatric diagnoses were based on DSM-IV criteria.Results: The health related quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients with psychiatric disorders was significantly lower in all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF than those of chronic kidney disease patients without psychiatric diagnoses: Overall quality of life, p= 0.000; Health satisfaction, p=0.001; Physical health domain, p=0.000; Psychological health domain, p=0.000; Social relationship domain, p=0.000; Environment domain, p=0.000. Depression was found to be the most common type of psychiatric disorder (22.1%), followed by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (4.4%), Dysthymia (1.8%), Schizophrenia (1.8%) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (0.9%).Conclusion: Chronic kidney disease patients with psychiatric disorders have lower quality of life compared with their counterparts without psychiatric disorders. Early detection and management of psychiatric disorders in chronic kidney disease patients might bring about better quality of life of these patients. To achieve this, we call for better collaboration between mental health and renal physicians.Keywords: Quality of Life, Psychiatric Morbidity, Chronic Kidney Disease patients, Nigeri