AGE AT START OF DIALYSIS DETERMINES THE O NSET OF SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOARTICULAR AMYLOIDOSIS

During the last 10 years beta-2-microglobulin amyloid arthropathy has become the most frequent and obstinate of all renal bone diseases. Fro m 1988 on subjective articular symptoms in our hemodialysis patients a re systematically recorded using modified scoring system according to Brown [1]. Symptoms of amyloid arthropathy (sum of points greater than or equal to 8, or concomitant symptoms in shoulders and hands, or car pal tunnel syndrome) had appeared in 23 patients during 6 year observa tion period. Asymptomatic period on hemodialysis (y) and age at start of dialysis (x) are negatively correlated (Spearman test, r =-0,689, p > 0,02), The relation could be described by y = 21,84 - 0,28 x. In pa tients starting hemodialysis at the age of 20, articular symptoms map be expected after 16 years on dialysis, in those starring at the age o f 50 after 8 years, and in 80 year old uraemic patients, symptoms of a rticular amyloidosis may be expected without any dialytic treatment. R esults presented emphasize the effect of age and diminish the effect o f dialytic procedure.