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Published on: April 12, 2021
Changes in Depressive Symptoms Pre- and Post-Kidney Transplantation
Nan-Su Huang1, Jingyao Hong1, Yiting Li1
1Department of Surgery, New York University, Grossman School of Medicine and Langone Health, New York, NY.
Kidney360
|June 24, 2026
Summary
Depressive symptoms in kidney transplant (KT) patients slightly worsen post-transplant but stay below clinical levels. Patients with high pre-KT depressive symptoms saw improvement after KT.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Psychiatry
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Depressive symptoms are prevalent in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients.
- These symptoms can persist after kidney transplantation (KT) despite its benefits.
- Understanding mental health changes post-KT is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the changes in depressive symptoms among patients before and after kidney transplantation.
- To identify factors influencing depressive symptom trajectories post-KT.
Main Methods:
- A multi-center prospective cohort study included 4,661 potential KT candidates and 1,215 recipients.
- Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale.
- Linear mixed-effect models analyzed CES-D score changes over time and by patient characteristics.
Main Results:
- 19% of candidates and 15% of recipients had depressive symptoms at evaluation/admission.
- Depressive symptoms slightly increased post-KT (0.4 points/year) but remained below clinical thresholds.
- Recipients with high pre-KT depressive symptoms experienced a decrease in symptoms post-KT (-1.2 points/year).
Conclusions:
- Depressive symptoms show a slight worsening trend in the first four years post-KT but generally stay below clinical significance.
- Kidney transplant recipients with pre-existing high depressive symptoms benefit from the transplant, showing symptom reduction.
- Clinicians should address mental health in KT patients and personalize care.
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