Abstract
We used a Kuraray PS filter and a Hospal AN69HF for HF and push/pull HDF in order to investigate the variation of the plasma beta-2-MG level and the reduction of shoulder joint pain. Forty long-term dialysis patients were divided into 4 groups, and the following treatments were given. First group; HF with PS filter, second group; push/pull HDF with PS filter, third group; HF with AN69HF, fourth group; push/pull HDF with AN69HF. The beta-2-MG removal rate in every group was markedly higher than that of conventional HID with a high-performance membrane. The pre-treatment plasma concentration of beta-2-MG in every group fell significantly at one week after the initiation of the new treatment series. As indicators of shoulder joint pain, we used backward extension, adduction and abduction ranges of the upper arms. The results indicated a marked alleviation of shoulder joint pain in a week after the initiation of the treatment series, and there was a significant increase in the movement ranges of shoulder joint.
