[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Psychological and psychiatric alterations are common in patients submit a transplant, particularly, states of anxiety, depression, delirium and adjustment problems. The importance of therapeutic interventions during transplant has been known; however, the nature of the patients needs during their hospital stay are ignored or little described in medical literature. Objective: To evaluate the nature of the needs for psychological care to patients submit a organ transplant, in order to better prepare a treatment plan for this population. Results: All the records of patients who went through liver, pancreas or double transplant (pancreas and liver) were revised. A nine month period sample adding up to 73 patients. 24 submitted to a pancreas or double transplant and 49 patients who underwent liver transplant. Overall, transplant patients are younger and have lower education degrees when compared to others in a General Hospital. They also come from very different places, whereas the majority of patients in this General Hospital are from São Paulo. It was observed that liver transplant patients were older than pancreas or double transplant patients. They needed more psychology sessions and more psychiatric assessments. Psychological service was characterized by a lower frequency in managing care for the patient and a higher frequency of family sessions. Those being statistically significant when compared to other services in a General Hospital. The same repercussion happened when comparing patients of liver transplant and patients of pancreas or double transplant. The prevalence of consultation-liaison was due to the presence of symptoms as anxiety or apathy in liver transplant patients. In contrast, pancreas or double transplant patients had their needs aimed to behavioral alterations. Conclusion: In spite of the motivation to request the service being similar for both groups assessed, the amount of assistance offered to liver patients showed to be bigger. The comparison between the profiles of in-patients who underwent transplant in this General Hospital can help in the shaping of consultation-liaison services.
Revista de Psiquiatria Consiliar e de Ligação. 01/2005; 12:51-57.
