Vestibular dysfunction in adolescents and young adults after kidney transplant

Chronic kidney disease is a slowly progressive disease that causes irreversible loss of renal function and is considered a public health problem worldwide.

To evaluate the vestibular behavior in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing renal transplantation.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed. Thirty patients were evaluated, 33.3% female and 66.7% male (mean age 16.9 (± 3.6) years old). Patients underwent the following procedures: anamnesis, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) evaluation and vestibular evaluation.

The patients reported dizziness when they were on dialysis. 50% the patients showed an abnormality in the vestibular test, which occurred in the caloric test. The abnormality was more prevalent in the peripheral vestibular system and there was a predominance of deficit peripheral vestibular disorders.

The dizziness was the most significant symptom for the vestibular test in correlation with neurotological symptoms. Alteration in the vestibular exam occurred in the caloric test, there was a prevalence of alterations for the peripheral vestibular system with a predominance of deficit vestibular dysfunction. We emphasize the need to show professionals involved in patients with chronic kidney disease, those undergoing renal transplant and dialitic treatment the importance of prevention and early identification of otoneurological involvement.