This study provides the first nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of mental illness and mental health (MH) treatment among US adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using data from the 2015 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the study analyzed 152,069 adults aged 22 and older, including those with CKD (n=2544), no chronic conditions (n=117,235), and those with hypertension or diabetes but not CKD (n=32,290). The prevalence of any mental illness, serious mental illness (SMI), MH treatment, and unmet MH care needs were compared across these groups using logistic regression models.

Results showed that 26.6% of US adults with CKD had mental illness, including 7.1% with SMI. After adjusting for individual characteristics, adults with CKD were significantly more likely to have any mental illness or SMI than those with no chronic conditions or hypertension/diabetes. Additionally, adults with CKD were more likely to receive MH treatment (21% vs 12% and 18%) and to have unmet MH care needs (6% vs 3% and 5%). These findings highlight the high prevalence of mental illness among US adults with CKD and suggest that better management of MH needs could improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.

Reference: Wilk AS, Hu JC, Chehal P, Yarbrough CR, Ji X, Cummings JR. National Estimates of Mental Health Needs Among Adults With Self-Reported CKD in the United States. Kidney Int Rep. 2022;7(7):1630-1642. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2022.04.088.