To investigate the incidence of depressive symptoms in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and the relationship between depression and nutritional status and inflammatory status in patients with CAPD, and assess the quality of life of these patients.

A total of 105 patients who had undergone peritoneal dialysis for >3 months were selected. All participants completed the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and quality of life scale (SF-36), and patients with an SDS score of 53 or more were considered to have depression. The general conditions and biochemical indicators of CAPD patients were recorded, and they were divided into groups based on the values of albumin (Alb; <38 g/L) and procalcitonin (>0.05 ng/ml).

The incidence of depression in CAPD patients was 58.1% (61/105) in the overall population, 21.9% (23/105) in men, and 36.2% (38/105) in women. Compared with patients in the non-depression group, patients in the depression group were more likely to be female and older, and had significantly lower albumin, higher procalcitonin levels, lower hemoglobin levels, higher β₂ microglobulin levels, and longer dialysis duration (P<0.05). Patients with both serum albumin levels less than 38 g/L and procalcitonin greater than 0.05 ng/ml had an increased risk of depression.

Patients with end-stage renal disease have a higher incidence of depression after receiving CAPD. The incidence of depression is higher in females than in males. The quality of life of CAPD patients with emotional disorders is reduced. Nutritional status and inflammatory status are risk factors for depression in peritoneal dialysis patients.