Saúde mental dos pacientes portadores de doença renal crônica em tratamento de hemodiálise: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

The term Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) refers to a series of heterogeneous long-term conditions that affect both the structure and function of the kidneys. The treatment of CKD involves medication, dietary plans, and, in more advanced cases, renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis — a process in which extracorporeal machines filter the blood, eliminating its toxins. The present study aims to analyze the impacts of hemodialysis treatment on the mental health of patients with chronic kidney disease. This is an Integrative Review conducted during the months of July and August 2024, through research in the databases Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and the CAPES Journal Portal. A sample of twenty-one articles was selected. After a thorough reading of the chosen materials, four analytical categories were established: mental disorders, emotional repercussions, cognitive impairments, and coping mechanisms. Patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, especially the elderly, tend to present cognitive deficits and a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety — particularly women with lower income and education levels — due to the physical and mental strain caused by the treatment routine and duration. These factors often lead them to experience feelings of denial, fear, and uncertainty regarding the future and the possibility of death. In this context, adaptation requires the identification and maintenance of coping resources such as family, healthcare teams, spirituality, and religiosity, among others—a process in which Psychology can play a vital role.