| Theme | Functional and Organic Changes of Brain Observed in Dialysis Patients | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Psyco-psycological problems | |
| Publish Date | 1997/02 | |
| Author | Kiichiro Sato | Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kitasato University |
| [ Summary ] | In accordance with progress in brain examinations such as MRI, it was revealed that many psychiatric problems of elderly dialysis patients had an organic brain disorder component. Sharpening of character and slight dementia of dialysis patients were the major problem for medical staff. These patients were troublesome, e.g. non-compliant and/or difficult to care for. Delirium was the other serious problem. They showed diurnal sleep and nocturnal insomnia, and incoherent actions with aggression. Some were difficult to differentiate from dementia. Paranoia in response to key-persons and skin-parasite delusions created problems with intimate care-givers. These delusions or illusions were related to fear of abandonment or loneliness. Pseudo-dementia of depressed patients must also be differentiated from dementia. Neuro-psychological problems such as aphasia and ataxia were not particularly so infrequent but were masked by dementia. | |