Abstract
Summary Background: A retrospective study was undertaken to inves- tigate the biochemistry data of a restricted cohort of dialysis- related arthropathy patients. The aim of our study was to characterize this specific cohort of dialysis patients using a clinical chemistry database analysis. Methods: An elaboration of more than 160,000 items of biochemical data, collected from 2001 to 20|11, was made of 50 patients, 25 with dialysis-related arthropathy and 25 patients asymptomatic for arthropathy. A Student's t-test was applied, considering a P-value less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: Significant and relevant unexpected biochemical dif- ferences were found between the two groups of patients. The serum level of p2-microglobulin was similar, while fer- ritin values were significantly higher in symptomatic patients. We excluded the possibility that the ferritin difference between the two groups was due to different iron storage and to an inflammatory profile. Conclusions: The correct use of a biochemical database could permit to identify significant values which must be cor- related with clinical data, but which could be the first step to a wider research.
Highlights
An objective interpretation of the dialysis clinical biochemistry database is useful for the correct management of patients, especially complex cases such as those in a dialysis unit
The aim of our study was to characterize this specific cohort of dialysis patients using a clinical chemistry database analysis
The serum level of b2-microglobulin was similar, while ferritin values were significantly higher in symptomatic patients
Summary
An objective interpretation of the dialysis clinical biochemistry database is useful for the correct management of patients, especially complex cases such as those in a dialysis unit. Dialysis-related arthropathy affects patients on maintenance hemodialysis treatment. Osteoarticular disease called renal osteodystrophy, which includes signs of secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, osteosclerosis and osteomalacia [1, 2], is found in 80% of patients after ten years of dialysis. These patients show stiffness in the large joints, 64% show a restriction in movement, and 43% show carpal tunnel syndrome [3, 4] and, less frequently, cubital tunnel syndrome [5]. Amyloid deposits were first found in the articular cartilage and were later found in the synovial membrane, joint capsule, and subchondral bone with a pathogenesis that was probably multifactorial, and related to the duration of renal failure, patient’s age, age at the beginning of hemodialysis and duration of hemodialysis [7]
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