Psychometric properties of the hospital anxiety and depression scale in patients with chronic kidney disease from an Andean region of Peru

Figueroa L.O.S.; Aliaga M.G.; Linero-Racines R.M.; Villanueva J.M.; Ricardo A.J.P.; Paucar D.P.; Baldeón A.S. · Gaceta Medica de Caracas (2026) · DOI: 10.47307/gmc.2026.134.2.7

Resumen

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a considerable physical and emotional burden, especially in patients undergoing renal replacement therapies. In Andean regions, cultural particularities influence the expression of emotional distress, underscoring the need to validate instruments that are sensitive to this context. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in CKD patients undergoing renal replacement therapy in an Andean context in 2024. Methodology: An instrumental study was conducted with 111 patients. Content validity was examined through expert judgment and cognitive interviews. Internal consistency was assessed using McDonald’s Omega, internal structure via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and convergent validity using the Therapeutic Adherence Scale (EAT). Results: Global McDonald’s Omega (ω = 0.806) and the anxiety factor (ω = 0.757) showed adequate consistency, although the depression factor presented lower reliability (ω = 0.680). CFA partially supported the bifactorial structure, with the best fit obtained for the model including error correlations (χ²/df = 1.362; CFI = 0.923; TLI = 0.904; RMSEA = 0.057; SRMR = 0.0729). Significant negative correlations were found between anxiety (r = –0.227, p = 0.017) and depression (r = –0.360, p = 0.001) with therapeutic adherence. Conclusion: The HADS shows acceptable psychometric properties in CKD patients from an Andean region, although some items require revision and cultural adaptation to optimize its sensitivity.

Instituciones: Universidad Continental; Universidad para el Desarrollo Andino