| [ Summary ] |
Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA), one form of systemic amyloidosis, is not uncommon in patients undergoing long-term dialysis treatment. The many clinical manifestations of this process involve deposition of β2-microglobulin amyloid in osteoarticular sites, resulting in five primary symptoms including polyarthralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, spondyloarthropathy, and bone cysts. Patients having two or more of these symptoms were diagnosed as having DRA. As a result, pathological diagnosis was not necessary. Since age, dialysis type and genetic factors are key risk factors for DRA, it is important to decrease other major treatable risk factors, such as chronic inflammation and oxidant stress. Dialysis methods and quality of dialyzing materials have dramatically improved in the past few decades. This has helped decrease the incidence of DRA, though there is no perfect mode of prevention except kidney transplantation. Other treatments include pregabalin and vitamin B12 for arthralgia and neuropathy, and orthopedic surgery for DRA-related functional disorders. |