Anxiety Presentations and Treatments in Populations With Kidney Disease

Abstract

Anxiety is common in patients with chronic kidney disease, but in its extreme expressions, anxiety can also be a complicating comorbid psychiatric illness. There is only a small literature base on anxiety disorders in patients with renal disease, and many of the studies are not sufficiently specific about which anxiety disorders are being studied. Larger epidemiological studies are required to delineate the incidence, prevalence, and outcomes associated with the varied anxiety disorders. In addition, the impact of the co-occurrence of anxiety with other chronic psychiatric or medical problems, needs further study. Anxiety is a clinical condition that warrants treatment, primarily due to its association with mortality in end-stage renal disease patients, and its negative impact on perceived quality of life. Therapeutic options for patients with anxiety and kidney disease include both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches. Current treatment strategies for anxiety specific to patients with renal disease are provided.

Keywords: Anxiety; anxiolytics; benzodiazepines; cognitive behavioral therapy; generalized anxiety disorder; panic disorder.