Psychological problems of kidney transplantation: satisfaction with dialysis therapy and desire for transplantation in hemodialysis patients.
Psychological problems of kidney transplantation were examined in 275 hemodialysis patients. Desire for transplantation was significantly lower in aged patients than in nonaged cases. The prevalence of alexithymia which is characterized by difficulty in expressing one's feelings and a lack of fantasy and which may be a clinical feature associated with psychological defense mechanisms was significantly higher in aged than in nonaged patients. The results suggest that aged patients tend to suppress the desire for transplantation by means of psychological defense mechanisms such as 'denial' directed toward transplantation and an unconscious pretence of indifference. From the psychological aspect, reconsideration of the quality of life may be required for hemodialysis patients.
Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry, Japan.
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Fukunishi
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology*