Abstract: Objective The maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients have a higher incidence of anxiety and depression, which are more severe in female patients and affect quality of life, dialysis, and prognosis of the disease. Here we explored the occurrence of anxiety and depression in female MHD patients and their
effects on quality of life, in order to effectively prevent and treat anxiety and depression. Methods Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) were applied to psychological analysis of anxiety, depression and quality of life in 134 female patients on MHD. Results The mean scores of SAS and SDS in female MHD patients were 43.45±9.23 and 48.34±11.65, respectively. The incidence was 13.43% for anxiety (SAS score ≥50) and was 23.88% for depression (SDS score ≥ 50), with the highest incidence in patients on MHD for 3～5 years. The scores of SF-36 were obviously lower in female MHD patients with anxiety than in those without anxiety (P＜0.05), except the social skills score of SF-36. Also, the scores of SF-36 were obviously lower in female MHD patients with depression than those without depression (P＜0.05), except the role and vitality scores of SF-36. Conclusion There is a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in female MHD patients, especially those with longer MHD duration. The symptoms of anxiety and depression have negative impact on quality of life even leading to seriously adverse events. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent and manage anxiety and depression in female MHD patients to improve their quality of life.

Key words: hemodialysis, anxiety, depression, quality of life