Psychosocial Interventions reduce depressive symptoms among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Study
Researchers in a new study have highlighted the positive impact of psychosocial interventions on patients with chronic kidney disease, emphasizing their role in improving patient well-being and outcomes.
Depression is prevalent among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those undergoing dialysis, with significant impacts on morbidity and mortality. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to evaluate the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in managing depressive symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease.
This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases from January 2007 to July 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating psychosocial interventions in chronic kidney disease patients (Stage 4 or 5 or on hemodialysis) were included.
The primary outcome was the change in depressive symptoms, measured by standardized clinical tools. Quality of life was a secondary outcome. Data extraction and bias assessment were conducted using ROB-2 and GRADEpro GDT tools. Results: Twelve studies with a total of 792 participants (420 in the intervention group and 372 in the control group) were included. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was the most common intervention.
Psychosocial interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to routine care (mean difference [MD]: −4.22; 95% CI: −6.67, −1.76; P = 0.0008). High heterogeneity (I2 = 89%) was noted. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. The impact on quality of life was not statistically significant (MD: 0.94; 95% CI: −0.61, 2.49; P = 0.24).
Moderate-quality evidence suggests that psychosocial interventions effectively reduce depressive symptoms in chronic kidney disease patients. While no significant improvement in quality of life was observed, these interventions provide an alternative to pharmacological treatments, potentially minimizing drug-related side effects
Reference:
Chahal JS, Saini S, Bansal P, et al. Impact of Psychosocial Interventions on Depression in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177/00912174251326009
