[Comparative psychiatric diagnosis in dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients]

12 male and 8 female patients treated by hemodialysis (mean age: 38.5 years, s = 11.1) and 10 male and 10 female renal transplant recipients (mean age: 35.4 years, s = 9.7) were given 8 psychological tests. The results of both groups were compared with each other and with the respective standardizations.

In comparison with the respect standardizations the transplant recipients obtained average results in 5 to 6 achievement tests, whereas the dialysis patients showed deficiencies in higher perceptive processes, namely attentiveness, power of concentration, speed of performance, reductive thinking, and short-time memory. Confronted with problems which must be solved by making use of formerly acquired knowledge, experiences, and skills (crystallized intelligence), the average results of both groups coincided with the average of the respective standardizations. As for their way of acting in frustrating situations, the persons of both groups tried to avoid any aggressive reaction against fellow-men. They tended to self-reproaches, though generally referring to inevitable circumstances. If possible they evaded any question of guilt by minimizing the problems. All in all, renal transplantation can effect a substantial improvement in mental ability, especially of fluid intelligence.