[Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic haemodialysis patients in eastern Morocco: a cross-sectional study].

Introduction: chronic haemodialysis patients are a vulnerable population significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a severe impact on people with co-morbidities and immune system depression, which increases the risk of infection and of developing severe form of COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and quality of life of chronic haemodialysis patients.

Methods: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey among 175 chronic hemodialysis patients using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Moroccan Arab Version 5.0.0 scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale for Chronic Hemodialysis Patients (KDQOL-SFTM 1.3).

Results: one hundred and seventy-five (175) participants were recruited, of whom 76 patients had COVID-19. COVID-19 infection was significantly associated with age (p=0.018), psychiatric disorders (p=0.00), a history of suicide attempts (p=0.006) and high-stress levels (p=0.01). The quality of life of chronic haemodialysis patients was significantly impaired in patients with COVID-19 (p=0.00), especially in subjects who were elderly (p=0.034), lived alone (p=0.004), had a history of organic (p=0.04), psychiatric (p=0.00), or substance abuse issues (p=0.003), as well as in patients with a symptomatic form (p=0.001), complications (p=0.00), or hospitalisation secondary to COVID-19 (p=0.00), and those with severe stress (p=0.00).

Conclusion: the mental health and quality of life of chronic haemodialysis patients were mainly negatively influenced during the COVID-19 pandemic.