title: Evaluation of psychological distress using the K6 in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological distress in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 72 patients on chronic hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. We evaluated psychological distress by using the K6 questionnaire, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by using the EQ-5D questionnaire, and clinical parameters. Among the 72 patients, we also evaluated changes in K6 scores in 58 patients at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean K6 score was 3.7 ± 3.7 and 2 subjects (2.8%) were defined as having psychological distress. K6 scores were significantly correlated with body fat percentage, albumin level, and EQ-5D scores in total subjects. K6 scores were also significantly and negatively correlated with EQ-5D scores in men and women. In the 1-year follow-up group, changes in K6 scores were weakly and negatively correlated with changes in EQ-5D scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological distress was closely associated with HRQOL in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Coping strategies for psychological distress might be useful in improving HRQOL in patients on hemodialysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Miki, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan, kata@med.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyatake
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uzike
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakano
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Kiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koumoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires