Correlation of Depression and Social Support with Diet Non-adherence among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients of Selected Hospitals in Quezon City, Philippines

Previous studies showed estimated prevalence of diet non-adherence among maintenance hemodialysis patients ranged from 10.6 to 60.2\%. Aside from the varying range of diet non-adherence worldwide, there is no gold-standard in defining diet non-adherence which emphasizes the need to look into various parameters of diet non-adherence such as medications, socioeconomic factors, depression, social support, etc. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the following: 1. Correlation of depression with diet non-adherence of maintenance hemodialysis patients; 2. Correlation of social support with diet non-adherence of maintenance hemodialysis patients of 24 maintenance hemodialysis patients from 2 hemodialysis centers in Quezon City, Philippines. Significant moderate positive correlations were shown between mild depression and mild deviation in diet non-adherence (r$_s$ = 0.519, p = 0.009) and between severe depression and very severe deviation in diet non-adherence (r$_s$ = 0.552, p = 0.005). There was significant strong negative correlation between “significant other” and no deviation in diet non-adherence (r$_s$ = -0.662, p = 0.000). Single marital status showed significant moderate negative correlation with moderate deviation in diet non-adherence (r$_s$ = -0.548, p = 0.006). There was significant moderate negative correlation between low income category and very severe deviation in diet non-adherence (r$_s$ = -0.466, p = 0.022). Depression was positively linked with diet non-adherence. Those who are single, having low income, and support from the “significant other” may be more likely to adhere to diet restrictions. This study’s findings can be considered in formulating maintenance hemodialysis patient’s dietary interventions. However, judicious and critical analysis are needed for interpreting this study’s findings due to its small sample size. Additionally, future research may consider expanded sample size to increase generalizability of findings.