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Dialysis encephalopathy associated with polyvalent ion contamination.
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|March 28, 1984
Summary
Dialysis bone disease patients on hospital dialysis developed encephalopathy, unlike home dialysis patients. Excessive water polyvalent ions may have displaced bone aluminum, causing encephalopathy in susceptible individuals.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Dialysis bone disease is a known complication in long-term dialysis patients.
- Dialysis encephalopathy has been observed in some dialysis populations.
- Water quality is a critical factor in dialysis procedures.
Observation:
- Five long-term dialysis patients with dialysis bone disease were studied.
- Hospital dialysis patients also exhibited dialysis encephalopathy.
- Home dialysis patients did not develop encephalopathy.
Findings:
- A new hospital water supply with excessive polyvalent ions is suspected.
- This water may have leached aluminum from bone stores.
- Aluminum accumulation potentially precipitated encephalopathy in three patients within three months.
Implications:
- Investigating water quality in dialysis units is crucial.
- Understanding the link between bone lysis factors and encephalopathy is important.
- This suggests a potential environmental trigger for dialysis-related neurological complications.