SERUM BETA(2)-MICROGLOBULIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS CHRONICALLY DIALYZED WITH CA-210 VERSUS CT-190 DIALYSIS MEMBRANES

beta(2)-Microglobulin (B2M) amyloidosis (dialysis-related amyloidosis) , manifested primarily by carpal tunnel syndrome and destructive osteo arthropathy, is a major sequel of long-term dialysis. Previous investi gators have shown that high-flux biocompatible synthetic membranes (e. g., polyacrylonitrile) lower beta(2)M levels when compared to cellulos ic membranes (e.g., cuprophane). To date, however, no study has compar ed beta(2)M levels of patients dialyzed with the two more biocompatibl e cellulosic membranes CA-210 (cellulose acetate) and CT-190 (cellulos e triacetate; high flux, more biocompatible). We retrospectively compa red the serum beta(2)M levels in two chronic hemodialysis populations: 22 patients on CT-190 and 21 patients on CA-210. There was no differe nce between the two groups with regard to age, sex, or duration of dia lysis. The patients on the CA-210 membrane had significantly higher se rum beta(2)M levels (mean +/- SE; 53.6 +/- 4.7 vs. 36.8 +/- 2.6 mg/l, CA-210 vs. CT-190, respectively, p = 0.003). Subsequently we switched 13 patients dialyzed with a CA-210 membrane to a CT-190 membrane and f ollowed serum beta(2)M levels for 14 months. We found a significant de crease in serum beta(2)M levels within 1 month which was maintained ov er 14 months of follow-up (47.4 +/- 4.4 vs. 62.8 +/- 6.7 mg/l, CT-190 at 14 months vs. CA-210 at baseline, respectively, p < 0.01).