[Analysis of psychological factors influencing peritoneal dialysis selection]

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is not frequently used in our setting.

To analyze the psychological factors involved in the choice of renal replacement therapy (RRT).

A 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 patients were given and completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Eysenck personality questionnaire. Clinical and sociodemographic data and RRT choice were recorded. End of follow-up: 2007/10/31.

44 patients were studied: age, 65.4 +/- 13.1 years, 48% male, 34% diabetic. When choosing RRT, 36% of patients had symptoms of depression. Neither depression symptoms nor personality traits were related to the choice of dialysis type. The youngest patients chose PD (41%). After a mean followup of 8 +/- 8 months, 70% of patients started RRT (68% haemodialysis [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 a worsening of the disease. Half of the patients with depression symptoms when choosing PD and a third of the patients with higher levels of neuroticism changed their decision and finally opted for HD.

When choosing RRT, the prevalence of depression symptoms is high. Neither depression nor personality traits influenced the initial choice of RRT, although these factors may be involved in subsequent changes to the decision.