Mental disorders among unspecified living kidney donors

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S.Y. Ismail, W. Zuidema, J. van de Wetering, M.T. Hilhorst, L. Timmerman, E.K. Massey, J.N.M Ijzermans, J.J.V. van Busschbach, W. Weimar

Chair(s): dr. N.P. van der Kaaij

Thursday 9 march 2017

13:00 - 13:15h

Categories: Poster - Klinisch

Parallel session: Postersessie - Klinisch 3

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Background:
In unspecified living kidney donation psychosocial screening is performed to determine whether donors are mentally stable enough to donate safely. The aim of this study is to investigate what proportion of these donors has been diagnosed with a post-donation mental disorder.

Methods:
We retrospectively searched the medical records for individuals who were included as unspecified donors between May 2000 and November 2016 and registered which donors reported symptoms and/or a diagnosis of a mental disorder during the routine post donation medical check-up. We also recorded whether donors (partly) attribute their acquired mental disorder to the donation.

Results:
In total, 142 unspecified donors donated. Within this group 8% reported psychopathology within three years post-donation namely, posttraumatic stress disorder (n=2), depression (n=1), bipolar disorder with suicidal gestures (n=2), unspecified psychiatric breakdown (n=1), personality disorder not otherwise specified (n=1) and depressive symptoms not meeting the full DSM-IV criteria (n=4). Four donors (partly) attributed their decrease in mental health to the donation.

Discussion:
A small proportion of unspecified living kidney donors acquire mental disorders within three years post-donation. This percentage is comparable with the prevalence in the Dutch general population (9%). This finding could suggest that no additional care other than normal psychological care is warranted. Nevertheless, it is understandable that the donor and his/her surrounding attribute a decrease in mental health at least in some degree to the ‘life event’ of the donation. Such attribution is not necessarily wrong, and justifies a duty of care. These findings emphasize the need for a detailed psychological follow-up of these donors in order to identify those at risk and to provide early psychological intervention where necessary. Using such follow-up data, studies can identify the association between the characteristics of the donor and donation process on the one hand and the change in mental status on the other.