Depression Management for Hemodialysis Patients: Using DOPPS Data to Further Guide Nephrology Social Work Intervention.

Abstract

The future of disease management for the chronic kidney disease population will need to focus beyond the physiological markers of dialysis adequacy, albumin, and blood pressure and include psychosocial and behavioral health variables that also mediate treatment outcomes. A growing body of literature, including the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), has linked depression to survival and health care utilization in people on hemodialysis. DOPPS identified the need for improved identification and management of depression. It also provides further guidance for nephrology social workers, who will continue to serve as the lead mental health providers to this at-risk population. This article reviews this literature and proposes practice guidelines for nephrology social workers to help manage depression in the dialysis clinic setting.