憂鬱對腎病末期病患不是一個新的問題，然而卻是病患最常見的情緒、心理社會或精神問題而對病患身體產生綜合性的影響。接受不同治療方式的腎病末期病患之憂鬱盛行率分別為血液透析治療者為33.33％至78.8％，腹膜透析治療者為19％至51.5％，和接受腎臟移植者為20％至45％。針對如此高的憂鬱盛行率，腎臟護理人員宜採取相關護理介入措施，包括降低病患不確定感、提供社會支持、運動規畫與介入和其他能降低憂鬱之措施以提升病患之改善生活品質。

Depression for End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is not a new issue, but is a most common issue of emotional, psychosocial, and psychiatric problems, and comprehensive impact for patient’s physical function. The prevalence of depression among ESRD patients received alterative therapy are 33.3% to 78.8 % for hemodialysis, 19% to 51.5% for peritoneal dialysis, and 20% to 45% for renal transplantation. For such high depression prevalence, nurses of nephrologic should provide interventions, such as decline patient’s uncertainty level, appropriate social support, exercise training protocol, and musical therapy etc. to diminish depression and improve patients quality of life.