Abstract
Over the last decade quality of life and patient survival have improved in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). We present a complicated case demonstrating important somatic and psychological issues.
A 31 year old woman was delivered of healthy siblings in 2002. Following acute renal failure she remained in ESRD. Nephrectomy of the right kidney had to be performed because of post-biopsy bleeding. Due to the flood in Dresden in 2002 she had to be evacuated to an outside hospital while her family stayed in Dresden. Chronic hemodialysis was performed from that time on. She suffered from being separated from her children during dialysis. In April of 2004 she received a kidney transplant from her husband. This resulted in excellent graft function. Nevertheless her self-assessed psychological situation was far from satisfactory. She suffered from feelings of failure especially concerning hermotherhood. Psychotherapy including here husband was started. Within 6 months here situation improved markedly. Treatment of chronic renal disease should focus on somatic as well as psychological aspects. Health care professionals should work together to further improve the quality of life of these patients.
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