[Psychopathology associated with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in the pediatric age group]. / Psicopatología del síndrome nefrótico idiopático en la edad pediátrica.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To analyze the influence of several variables in the genesis of psychological morbidity in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) as compared with healthy controls. METHODS: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administered to children with INS (n = 23) and a control group of healthy children (n = 38). The SDQ is a well-known screening instrument for psychological/psychiatric morbidity in childhood. The questionnaire consists of five scales that evaluate emotional symptoms, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and prosocial behavior. The total score is calculated by adding all the subscales except the prosocial behavior scale. In children with INS, type of treatment, sex, steroid dose, disease stage, disease duration, and prognosis (number of relapses/disease stage) were also noted. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in two of the scales (emotional symptoms and peer problems), as well as in the total score in children with INS as compared with the control group (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between disease duration and total score in the INS group. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional and behavioral problems were more frequent in children with INS. The only variable related to the severity of the symptoms studied in these children was disease duration.