Abstract

PEREIRA, Ester et al. Psychological aspects of diabetic patients candidates to the pancreatic islet transplantation. Arq. bras. psicol. [online]. 2007, vol.59, n.1, pp. 62-71. ISSN 1809-5267.

Diabetic patients see the pancreatic islet transplantation (IT) as an idealized form of cure of the disease, and put great expectations in this treatment. Then, it is important to evaluate psychological aspects that could interfere with the comprehension of the procedure being a clinical study with uncertain results, and with patient adherence at all stages of the project. From March/2004 to March/2005, thirteen IT candidates were evaluated and two of them were reevaluated after six months. Psycodiagnostic interview and HTP projective test of Buck were applied as intervention tools. Ten patients that presented the following characteristics were qualified: mood stability, family support, realistic judgment of the possible results of the treatment, adherence behavior and presence of coping strategies. IT were contraindicated for three patients presenting signs of mood disturbance, small repertoire of coping strategies, low tolerance to frustration and adherence difficulties. Those two patients reevaluated after six months showed signs of psychiatric alterations and were directed to a specialist.

Keywords : Diabetes Mellitus type I; Transplantation; Islets of Langerhans; Psychology; clinical.

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