Hepatitis B Virus in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: Transmission Risks and Psychosocial Reactions

Thomas W. Kiernan, Robert J. Powers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thirteen patients undergoing hemodialysis who were carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were screened for inappropriate reactions to HBV transmission risks and for emotional reactions to their renal and viral diseases. Four patients underreacted to HBV transmission risks through denial or misunderstanding. The nine remaining patients reported that their HBV, as compared with their renal disease, resulted in substantially greater restrictions in interpersonal relations and significantly greater feelings of not being accepted by others. In contrast, the nine patients reported that their renal disease, as compared with their HBV, resulted in substantially greater restrictions in leisure and work activities. Thirteen control patients undergoing hemodialysis but not having HBV did not differ from the patients with HBV in psychosocial reactions to renal disease. As shown in a one-month follow-up, counseling was effective in enhancing aware-ness of HBV transmission risks and in improving emotional adjustments to the renal and viral diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)51-54
Number of pages4
JournalArchives of Internal Medicine
Volume142
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hepatitis B Virus in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: Transmission Risks and Psychosocial Reactions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this