Single Questions for the Screening of Anxiety and Depression in Hemodialysis

Background:Depression and anxiety are common and underrecognized in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), are associated with poor outcomes and reduced health-related quality of life, and are potentially treatable. Simple, accurate screening tools are needed.Objective:We examined the operating characteristics of single questions for anxiety and depression from the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) in hemodialysis.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Two outpatient hemodialysis units (1 tertiary, 1 community) in Hamilton, Canada.Patients:Adult prevalent hemodialysis patients.Measurements:ESAS and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Methods:Participants were asked the degree to which they experienced anxiety and depression using the ESAS. ESAS single questions for anxiety and depression were compared with the reference standard of the HADS using dialysis population specific cutoffs (HADS anxiety subscale ≥6 and HADS depression subscale ≥7). Logistic regression was used to create receiver operatin...