An interdisciplinary approach to patients in the evaluation stage to enter the waiting list for a Kidney Transplant

Abstract

Introduction: Psychosocial aspects are essential in the comprehensive approach to chronic diseases. In the case of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which has an estimated prevalence of 10% in Uruguay, special attention to these factors is required. Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment of choice, and its success largely depends on adherence to post-transplant treatments. This study aims to describe the psychosocial profile of patients evaluated in 2022, providing background information to promote a comprehensive approach that improves post-transplant outcomes and enhances the quality of life of patients. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study based on a non-probabilistic convenience sample. A documentary design was implemented through the review of medical records, focusing on psychological reports completed in 2022 as part of the evaluation process for inclusion on the KT waiting list. Results: The sample consisted of 36 patients. Of these, 27.8% reported a history of depression and 19.5% of anxiety. A total of 52.8% experienced at least one stressful life event in the past year.

Additionally, 47.2% presented complex behaviors such as tobacco use (25%), problematic cannabis use (25%), and cocaine use (13.9%). The main difficulty in adherence was the health and dietary aspect, with only 35% reporting good adherence. Conclusion: A high presence of psychosocial risk factors was observed, highlighting the importance of systematically evaluating these factors before placing patients on the waiting list.