Abstract

PONZ CLEMENTE, Esther et al. Analysis of psychological factors influencing peritoneal dialysis selection. Nefrología (Madr.) [online]. 2010, vol.30, n.2, pp.195-201. ISSN 1989-2284.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is not frequently used in our setting. Objective: To analyze the psychological factors involved in the choice of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Material and methods: Prospective observational study of stable patients without cognitive or sensory deficits, who were informed about RRT from January 2004 to July 2006, and agreed to participate. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Eysenck personality questionnaire were administered. Clinical and sociodemographic data, and RRT choice were recorded. End of follow-up: 2007/10/31. Results: We studied 44 patients: age, 65.4 ± 13.1 years, 48% male, 34% diabetic. When choosing RRT, 36% of patients had depressive symptoms. Neither depressive symptoms nor personality traits were related to the choice of the dialysis type. Patients who chose PD (41%) were younger. After a mean follow-up of 8 ± 8 months, 70% of patients started RRT (68% hemodialysis [HD], 32% PD). None of the patients who chose HD changed their mind, but 3 of the 13 patients (23%) who chose PD finally commenced HD, usually in the context of disease exacerbations. Half of the patients with depressive symptoms when choosing PD, and a third of the patients with higher levels of neuroticism changed their decision and finally opted for HD. Conclusions: When choosing RRT, the prevalence of depressive symptoms is high. Neither depression nor personality traits influenced the initial choice of RRT, but these factors may be involved in subsequent changes of the initial choice.

Keywords : Peritoneal dialysis; Dialysis modality selection; Psychological factors.

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