Depression of caregivers is significantly associated with depression and hospitalization of hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION: The current study aims to elucidate the relationships of depression of caregivers with depression of hemodialysis patients and determine predictors of hospitalization of hemodialysis patients. METHODS: The single-center, cross-sectional study consisted of 200 pairs of eligible hemodialysis patients and caregivers from January 2019 to January 2020. Depression was evaluated using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. FINDINGS: There were 89 hemodialysis patients with depression (44.5%) and 74 caregivers with depression (37.0%). In multi-variable logistic regression analysis, the hemodialysis patients with depressed caregivers were at increased risk of depression after adjusting for potential confounders (OR = 2.36, p = 0.04). Depression of hemodialysis patients (β = 0.51, p = 0.00) and depression of caregivers (β = 0.36, p = 0.04) were predictors of hospitalization of hemodialysis patients. DISCUSSION: Depression was prevalent among hemodialysis patients and their caregivers. Depression of caregivers was a risk factor for depression and hospitalization of hemodialysis patients. Implementation of appropriate screening programs and specific interventions for depression of hemodialysis patients and their caregivers is required.