PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF SURVIVAL ON RENAL DIALYSIS

Abstract

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory [MMPI] was administered to 47 male patients on renal dialysis. The patients were divided into 3 survival groups for comparison. Group A died within 1 yr of initiating dialysis. Group B had been alive on dialysis between 3 and 7 yrs, while group C had been alive between 7 and 10 yrs at the time of data analysis. Group A differed significantly from group B on the Hs [hypochondrias], D [depression] and Hy [hysteria] scales, and from group C on the F [validity], Hs, D and Pt [psychasthenia] scales. Interpretation of the mean MMPI profiles implies that persons in group A were characterized by feelings of helplessness, high levels of depression, anxiety and preoccupation with somatic difficulties. Those in groups B and C tended to be dependent, have mild levels of depression and have a sense of hopefulness about the future. Psychiatric intervention may increase the longevity of those patients judged to be moderately to severely depressed with somatic preoccupations.