Introduction:
Mental disorders are caused by various biopsychosocial factors that play a role in the development of psychological symptoms. Chronic illnesses, such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), can significantly increase the risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis are particularly susceptible to psychiatric illnesses due to factors like isolation, lack of autonomy, and the stress of treatment. Our research group conducted in-depth investigations on dialysis membranes, identifying key reasons behind blood activation, unstable cytokine levels, and poor membrane biocompatibility and morphological characteristics. Furthermore, our recent study has suggested a relationship between biomarkers and quality of life of patients.
Methods:
Building on this foundation, our current study, conducted at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, aimed to explore the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and psychological symptoms in male and female ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis. Adhering to ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects, we collected blood samples from 19 ESRD patients (11 male, 8 female) and assessed their psychological symptoms using a survey. The quantification of inflammatory biomarkers was conducted using Luminex ELISA with a Bioplex 200 system. Patients had completed a survey on psychological symptoms they experience while undergoing dialysis treatment. Higher scores indicated greater levels of psychological distress with a maximum score of 120.
Results:
Over 58% of patients scored above 60 on the psychological distress scale. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed that biomarkers CRP, C5a, and IL-6 were positively associated with higher levels of psychological distress in both male and female ESRD patients.
Conclusions:
These findings underscore the importance of enhancing membrane hemocompatibility to minimize inflammation and inflammatory biomarker levels during dialysis. Enhancing membrane performance could mitigate psychological symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for ESRD patients.
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.