Joint problems in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Rheumatology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Maintenance hemodialysis patients frequently experience joint complications.
• Hyperparathyroidism and vascular/soft tissue calcification are common comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and patterns of joint symptoms in hemodialysis patients.
• To correlate joint symptoms with radiological findings of hyperparathyroidism and calcification.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire assessed joint symptoms in 130 maintenance hemodialysis patients.
• Skeletal surveys were performed to evaluate hyperparathyroidism.
• Patients were categorized by symptom severity: none, mild, or severe.

Main Results:

• 59 patients reported severe joint symptoms, 31 mild, and 40 none.
• A higher proportion of patients with joint symptoms showed radiological evidence of hyperparathyroidism and calcification.
• Observed patterns included calcification issues, carpal tunnel syndrome, avascular necrosis, ruptured tendons, and infections.

Conclusions:

• Joint symptoms are prevalent in hemodialysis patients and associated with hyperparathyroidism and calcification.
• A novel syndrome of recurrent hemarthroses leading to chronic capsulitis in long-term dialysis patients (>10 years) is described.