The arthropathy of chronic haemodialysis

Abstract

The occurrence of rheumatic disorders in patients treated by long-term haemodialysis (HD) has been emphasized for several years. Complications include carpal tunnel syndrome and various arthropathies. Together with renal osteodystrophy, they are the main limiting factors for the quality of long-term survivals. The pathophysiology is still poorly understood but apatite crystal deposition, aluminum or iron overload and the articular deposition of a new type of amyloid may play a part. We will attempt here to review the available data on these rheumatic disorders in dialysis patients.