Vibration sensory threshold: a guide to adequacy of dialysis?

The vibration sensory threshold (VST) is an easy non-invasive reproducible and sensitive bedside test of peripheral nerve function. It is impaired in pre-dialysis uraemic patients with no clinical evidence of peripheral neuropathy; tends to deteriorate during the first year of dialysis after which it remains relatively constant, and returns towards normal within one week of kidney allograft function. It is unrelated to type of dialysis, acetylator status, average serum creatinine values or serum aluminium. VST may be a valuable monitor of the adequacy of dialysis.