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Review
. 2015 Sep;28(5):357-64.
doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000185.

Psychiatric aspects of organ transplantation and donation

Sarah Faeder  1 , Darcy Moschenross, Emily Rosenberger, Mary Amanda Dew, Andrea DiMartini
Affiliations
Review

Psychiatric aspects of organ transplantation and donation

Sarah Faeder et al. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2015 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals typically assist with evaluating and treating psychiatric and behavioral issues in transplant candidates, recipients, and living organ donors. In this review recent findings on specific psychiatric issues in adult solid organ transplant candidates and recipients, as well as living donors are discussed as well as their relevance to clinical practice.

Recent findings: Patients with complex mental health and addiction histories can have outcomes similar to patients without these disorders but may require specialized pretransplant preparation or posttransplant interventions to optimize their outcomes. Specific attention to the preparation and wellbeing of living donors is needed.

Summary: As transplant programmes increasingly consider patients with complex mental health histories, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals evaluating and treating these patients need to consider plans for early identification and treatment. Psychiatric care provided across the preoperative to postoperative periods will best address the longitudinal care needs of patients with mental health disorders. Abstinence from substances and complete adherence to medical directives provides the best chance for optimal outcomes. Treatment of depression may improve transplant outcomes. Research is needed to identify effective interventions and the best strategies to engage patients to improve adherence.

Video abstract: http://links.lww.com/YCO/A30.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None

References

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