Determining the body image and depression levels in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients

Objective: This study was conducted to determine body image and depression levels in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. Method: The study was conducted on May 2019-July 2020 with 180 patients who matched the research criteria and had follow-up care and treatment in Akdeniz University Hospital, University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital and Antalya Ataturk Public Hospital Haemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Unit. Data were collected by using Patient Information Form, Body Image Scale and Beck Depression Inventory. SAS 9.4 package program was used for statistical analysis obtained in the study. Data were evaluated using Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis H test. Results: It was determined that body image point average of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients was high and depression levels were medium. It was determined that alterations in these patients due to dialysis affected body image and depression levels, that presence of fistulas in haemodialysis patients affected depression levels and developing complications due to haemodialysis affected body image levels. Dry skin, nail thinning and breaking in peritoneal dialysis patients affected body image levels and patients with disabilities had higher body image and depression levels. Body image levels of patients over the age of 60 were high, the ones that received haemodialysis treatment for more than 37 months were more prone to depression, osteoporosis as a chronic disease affected the body image, and these were determined to be statistically significant. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that alterations in the body image affected the patients' body image and depression levels. It is recommended that body image levels of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients should be evaluated, their perception of body image should be ameliorated and psychosocial support of patients and appropriate interventions should be planned to reduce depression levels. Key words: body image, depression, haemodialysis, nursing, peritoneal dialysis