Abstract
To date no appropriate marker of dialysis arthropathy, mostly due to amyloidosis, has been identified. We investigated the usefulness of serum hyaluronic acid as a marker of dialysis arthropathy and the effects of regenerated cellulose membranes (RC) with large pores (CL-SS12W, Terumo, Tokyo) on dialysis arthropathy and serum hyaluronic acid. Among 54 patients receiving regular hemodialysis treatment (RHT), those with arthralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, or carpal bone cysts had higher serum levels of hyaluronic acid than those without these complication. Serum hyaluronic acid levels correlated significantly with patient age, duration on RHT and serum aluminum levels. Differences in the effects on the arthritic symptoms and serum hyaluronic acid between large pore RC and conventional RC were examined in 10 patients with arthralgia receiving RHT. Only one out of 10 patients demonstrated an improvement in arthralgia with the use large pore RC. There was no change in serum hyaluronic acid levels. Serum hyaluronic acid decreased to the same extent during in both dialyzers. In conclusion, it is suggested that serum hyaluronic acid is a possible marker of dialysis arthropathy, probably amyloidosis and that large pore RC has only limited effects on dialysis arthropathy and serum hyaluronic acid.
