Psychonephrology: Psychological aspects in autosomal dominant polycistic kidney disease

Abstract

The biological, physical and psychological burden of a chronic disease has an impact on the quality of life of people who suffer it. The perception of quality of life is affected by psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression that have a high prevalence in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These factors are also related to a lower life expectancy. It is surprising that the psychological aspects surrounding people with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), have received so little attention in the scientific literature, despite of its importance in the overall health of these patients. The relatively new discipline called psychonephrology provides a broader view of the impact that these aspects have on individuals with chronic renal disease with a consequent practical application. In this article we delve into the consequences and prevalence of psychological problems that can be related with CKD and ADPKD. First of all we will focus the subject matter of this article in the field of CKD and ADPKD within the scope of psychonephrology. In second place the article introduces the concept of quality of life as a basic foundation that is affected when a person is diagnosed of CKD. In third place, we will present a recapitulation of the main research related to anxiety and depression disorders in CKD and ADPKD. Finally, the article makes a synthesis of the different lines of research presented.