Prevalence of Excessive Daytime sleepiness, Depression and Quality of Life among Hemodialysis Patients

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17614859

Abstract

Hemodialysis, while essential for managing end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is frequently associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), depression, and reduced quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and interrelationship of these factors among 152 hemodialysis patients across four hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected using validated tools: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Depression subscale of DASS-21, and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) questionnaire. Findings revealed that patients in their first year of dialysis reported significantly higher levels of depression and EDS, particularly in low-stimulus settings such as reading (p = 0.016). Quality of life varied with dialysis duration; those with 4–5 years on dialysis reported better mental health scores, while patients undergoing dialysis for over five years experienced the greatest burden of kidney disease. These results highlight the evolving psychological and functional challenges throughout the dialysis journey and underscore the need for early psychosocial support and tailored interventions to improve patient outcomes in the Pakistani context.