[Psychiatric problems, life quality and compliance in patients treated with haemodialysis and renal transplantation].

OBJECTIVE

The major goal of this study is to compare the results of psychiatric morbidity and life quality evaluations in haemodialysis patients and renal transplantation recipients. Additionally, it aims to discuss risk factors for psychiatric morbidity, life quality and medical compliance of these patients in the light of literature review.

METHOD

In this study, assessment instruments called Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Short Form-36, Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, Scale for Compliance of Renal Transplantation Recipients, and Questionnaire for Sociodemographic and Health Information were applied to 34 patients treated with haemodialysis and 30 renal transplantation recipients in the treatment programme for 5 years or longer period.

RESULTS

26.6% percent of renal transplantation recipients reported that they had been given unsufficient or no information before transplantation by their doctors. According to 46.6 percent of patients' relatives, patients' compliance for health behavior was in good level. Decrease in education level was predicted higher scores above cut-off point of depression subscale; patient group (renal transplantation versus haemodialysis), decreases in depression-anxiety levels, increase in scores for internal locus of control and marital status (unmarried versus married) predicted better quality of life, physical and mental.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this study, such as unsufficient information before transplantation and low treatment compliance, suggest that more sophisticated psychosocial intervention programs focusing on these patients' quality of life, mental health and treatment compliance are necessary.