LAUSR

The number of adults receiving dialysis for end stage kidney disease (ESKD) is increasing worldwide. In the United Kingdom, 900 per million patients were receiving dialysis in 2013, with an expected increase of 4% annually (Friedli et al., 2015, October 26). In the United State (US), close to 500,000 patients are receiving dialysis for ESKD (National Kidney Foundation). Patients with ESKD have a lower quality of life, affecting many aspects of their lives, including financial, social, and psychological wellbeing (Ginieri-Coccossis et al., 2008, November 14). Depression is the most common mental disorder in patients with ESKD, the prevalence ranging between 22.8% and 39.3% (King-Wing Ma & Kam-Tao Li, 2016, August 1). Treatment for depression in patients undergoing dialysis may have different adverse events due to poor kidney function and drug clearance (Palmer et al., 2016, January 1). Treatment of depression in the dialysis population is challenging and may include pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies (King-Wing Ma & Kam-Tao Li, 2016, August 1). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the suggested pharmacological treatment of depression in dialysis patients (Palmer et al., 2016, January 1). However, there is little evidence of the safety and efficacy of pharmacological treatment in dialysis patients. A systematic review is needed to identify the adverse events and benefits of antidepressant medication in the population of patients receiving dialysis for ESKD. A systematic review was completed in 2005, and only one research study was identified (Rabindranath et al., 2005, January 1). This systematic review is an update of the 2005 review.