Psychometric Assessment of Neuropsychological Function in Kidney Disease

This chapter examines the neuropsychological function and clinical applications of the psychometric assessment of commonly encountered neuropsychiatric syndromes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Psychiatric disorders, in particular depressive, anxiety, and sleep disorders, are prevalent among patients with CKD. If left undetected and untreated, these can lead to poor engagement in treatment and contribute to cognitive impairment, reduced quality of life, and, ultimately, increased morbidity and mortality. Cognitive impairment greater than expected for age is also common in CKD and can further contribute to poor engagement in and adherence to treatment and interfere with healthcare decision-making. As CKD patients are followed medically for life, physicians and other clinicians working with CKD patients should be familiar with common signs and symptoms of psychological distress and cognitive impairment in this population, know how to appropriately assess for impairment with validated screening tools, and know when to refer to specialized psychological and neuropsychological services.