CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME - A MAJOR COMPLICATION IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

In order to assess the prevalence of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) suggestive of beta 2 microglobulin amyloid deposit in patients undergo ing hemodialysis with cuprophan and acetate membrane, we studied 30 pa tients who had been receiving hemodialysis for varying lengths of time . Besides a standard physical and rheumatological examination, nerve c onduction velocity studies were done in median and ulnar motorsensory nerves. 12 patients had normal findings, 12 had CTS (9 pure CTS, 3 wit h neuropathy), and 9 had peripheral neuropathy. Nerve dysfunction was independent of the disease underlying renal failure, the side of the d ialysis access shunt and factors such as age and sex. We suggest that hemodialysis patients need frequent EMG analysis to identify CTS early and to avoid irreversible nerve damage.