[Rheumatologic complications in patients treated with intermittent hemodialysis]

Long-term hemodialysis is complicated by rheumatological problems. They can vary from pain syndromes without clinical signs to severe destructive arthritis. The latter is often associated with severe disability. Its origin can be related to deposition of amyloid or synovial overloading with aluminium or iron. Different factors influence its occurrence, such as the type of dialysis membrane used or the quantity of aluminium consumed by these hemodialysed patients. The authors evaluated the frequency and the type of rheumatic disorders in the hemodialysis center of the HCU in Geneva. A comparison of these findings with previous reports is presented and the etiopathogenesis is discussed.