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Esophageal dysfunction in chronic hemodialysis patients
K C Siamopoulos1, E V Tsianos, M Dardamanis
1Division of Nephrology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece.
Nephron
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Esophageal dysfunction, indicated by abnormal contractions, is common in hemodialysis patients. Chronic uremia may cause nerve or muscle issues affecting esophageal motility.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Nephrology
- Clinical Physiology
Background:
- Esophageal motility disorders can impact patient quality of life.
- Hemodialysis is a treatment for chronic kidney disease.
- Asymptomatic patients may still have underlying physiological abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate esophageal motility in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients.
- To compare esophageal function between hemodialysis patients and healthy controls.
- To identify potential causes of esophageal dysfunction in chronic uremia.
Main Methods:
- Esophageal manometry was performed on 16 asymptomatic hemodialysis patients.
- Esophageal manometry was performed on 38 healthy volunteers.
- Contraction patterns, including triphasic tertiary and biphasic contractions, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Hemodialysis patients showed a significantly higher incidence of triphasic tertiary contractions (25% vs. 0%) and biphasic contractions (87.5% vs. 39.5%) compared to controls.
- These abnormalities were predominantly observed in the lower two-thirds of the esophageal body.
- Manometric evidence of esophageal dysfunction was frequent in the studied hemodialysis population.
Conclusions:
- Esophageal dysfunction is prevalent in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients.
- Potential causative factors include uremic neuropathy of the vagus nerve and smooth muscle myopathy.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact pathogenesis and clinical implications.