PSYCHOLOGIC AND NEUROLOGIC COMPLICATIONS AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

Neurological and psychological complications are often associated with drug toxicity, infections or symptoms caused by kidney transplant function. Metabolic encephalopathy, hypertensive encephalopathy, cerebrovascular events and recent epileptic seizures have been reported in recipients of organ transplants. Infections can be caused by listeria, Cryptococci, nocardia, aspergilla’s and mucus. Toxoplasma, coccidia, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes infections have also been reported. Cerebral bleeding may occur secondarily to septic embolism or intra cerebral aneurysms.  

Aim: The purpose of this study is to present the results of a study of 100 recipients of kidney transplant having neuropsychological complications.

Study Design: A Retrospective Study.

Place and Duration: In the Department of Nephrology, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad for three years duration from May 2016 to May 2019.

Methods: We reviewed these patients' medical data retrospectively of 100 recipients 70 (70%) were males and 30 (30%) were females. The average age at transplant is 33.74. ± 0.7 years. 68 patients (82%) received transplants from unrelated living donors, 30 patients (7.5%) from living donors and 2 (0.5%) cadaver donor. The observation period ranged from one to three years.

Results: According to this study, 3 to 15% of recipients had neuropsychological disorders, and peripheral neuropathy, depression and tremor were most common, with 8 (4%), 5 (2.5%) and 4 (2%) recipients, respectively.

Keywords: kidney transplant, Psychological complications, neurological complications and immunosuppression.