Validation of Two Screening Tools for Anxiety in Hemodialysis Patients

Els Nadort, Noëlle J. K. van Geenen, Robbert W. Schouten, Rosa E. Boeschoten, Prataap Chandie Shaw, Louis Jean Vleming, Marcel Schouten, Karima Farhat, Friedo W. Dekker, Patricia van Oppen, Carl E. H. Siegert, Birit F. P. Broekman

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Abstract

Background: Symptoms of anxiety are often unrecognized and untreated in dialysis patients. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of two widely used screening tools for anxiety in hemodialysis patients. Methods: For this cross-sectional validation study, chronic hemodialysis patients from eight dialysis centers in the Netherlands were included. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale—Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) were validated by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory (MINI) diagnostic interview. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the optimal cut-off values. Results: Of 65 participants, 13 (20%) were diagnosed with one or more anxiety disorders on the MINI, of which 5 were included in the analysis. ROC curves showed a good diagnostic accuracy of the BAI and HADS-A. The optimal cut-off value for the BAI was ≥13 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 85%) and for the HADS-A was ≥10 (sensitivity 80%, specificity 100%). Conclusions: Based on our limited data, both the BAI and the HADS-A seem to be valid screening instruments for anxiety in hemodialysis patients that can be used in routine dialysis care. The HADS-A consists of fewer items and showed fewer false-positive results than the BAI, which might make it more useful in clinical practice.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1077
JournalJournal of Personalized Medicine
Volume12
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2022

Keywords

  • anxiety disorders
  • mass screening
  • renal dialysis

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