Abstract
In Japan, hemodialysis patients have been increasing. Both the age of patients starting hemodialysis and that of patients receiving hemodialysis have become older than ever. Consequently, the number of hemodialysis patients with dementia has been growing. Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is more common in hemodialysis patients than in non-hemodialysis patients. The prevalence of dementia in hemodialysis patients with CVD is also higher than without CVD. This factor also contributes to the high prevalence of dementia in hemodialysis patients. In addition, patients are often medically sedated for their symptoms. It is often difficult to perceive the change in the consciousness level of hemodialysis patients. Here, we report a non-diabetic hemodialysis patient who suffered from dementia due to CVD, and was diagnosed with primary adrenal insufficiency, indicated by hypoglycemic coma. In the case of comatose hemodialysis patients, therefore, we should consider hypoglycemia as one of the causes of coma regardless of diabetes.
