Abstract: Objective  To explore the influence of the psychological status of family members on patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).  Methods  MHD patients who had undergone hemodialysis for more than three months at the China Rehabilitation Research Center and their family members were enrolled. The correlation between their psychological status, quality of life, and other indicators was assessed.  Results  A total of 140 patients and their corresponding family members were enrolled. Family members' anxiety scores were positively correlated with patients' anxiety scores (r=0.190, P =0.025), and negatively correlated with patients' health-related quality of life subscores, including symptom score, kidney disease impact score, kidney disease burden score, physical function score, and psychological status score (r=−0.183,−0.208, −0.189, −0.216, −0.188; P=0.030, 0.014, 0.026, 0.011, 0.026). Family members' depression scores were positively correlated with patients' anxiety and depression scores (r=0.192, 0.359;P=0.023,<0.001,respectively), and negatively correlated with patients' symptom score, kidney disease impact score, and psychological status score (r =−0.173, −0.215, −0.185; P =0.041, 0.011, 0.029). When family members were free of anxiety (n=116) or depression (n=53), MHD patients had lower serum β2-microglobulin levels (t=−2.364, −2.100; P=0.019, 0.038). When family members were free of depression, MHD patients had higher serum albumin levels (t =2.078, P=0.040).  Conclusion  The psychological status of family members is correlated with patients' anxiety and depression levels, quality of life, serum β2-microglobulin levels, and serum albumin levels.

Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis ;Family members, Anxiety, Depression