Biopsychosocial Aspects of Long-term Survival on End-stage Renal Failure Therapy

At 10 yrs follow-up of 64 haemodialysis patients, 43 had died & 21 were alive. The behaviour of the patient was directly responsible for 5 of the deaths, by suicide in 3 cases & dietary non-compliance in 2 cases. As the impact of depression on survival was maximal in the first few years of dialysis, monitoring for depression should be incorporated into routine care from the start of dialysis together with evaluative interventions that might enhance survival.