[Skin changes in hemodialysis patients]

188 patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis and a control group of 371 patients without kidney diseases were examined with regard to changes of the connective tissue of the skin. The following alterations were observed: increased sensibility to low temperatures and Raynaud's syndrome (42%), Dupuytren's contracture (22.4%), sclerosis of the dorsum of the fingers (17.6%). Carpal tunnel syndrome was seen in 24.4% of the cases, significantly correlating with the duration of hemodialysis.