Psychological distress in adults after pediatric kidney replacement therapy

Abstract

Background There is limited information about psychological distress in adults who underwent kidney replacement therapy (KRT) during childhood. This study aimed to describe psychological distress in adults after KRT during childhood in comparison to the Swiss general population and to evaluate associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods We sent a questionnaire to 143 people from the Swiss Pediatric Renal Registry (SPRR), who were alive, over 18 years old, starting KRT before the age of 18 years, and being German speaking. We measured psychological distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18) and evaluated the Global Severity Index 18 (GSI-18), reflecting the overall level of distress, and the three subscales depression, somatization, and anxiety. We compared levels of psychological distress to norm data from the Swiss general population and used regression models to identify associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results Eighty persons with a mean age of 39 years (SD 10.1) responded to the questionnaire (response rate 56%). Overall, the GSI-18 and all subscales of the BSI-18 were similar among study participants and the Swiss general population. Unemployed participants reported higher levels of somatization and were more likely to experience psychological distress. Participants using psychotropic drugs (antidepressants or sleep medication) reported higher levels of overall psychological distress, depression, and somatization. Conclusions Adults after KRT during childhood showed good long-term psychological well-being. These results are encouraging and underline the favorable outcome of these patients. So besides the excellent somatic outcome, these patients can achieve a psychological healthy life after diagnosis of chronic kidney failure.