Abstract
Background: Although dialysis has been shown to improve cognitive deficits resulting from uremia, little is known about potential temporal variations in cognitive measures between hemodialysis treatments. Methods: We studied dialysis patients for possible fluctuations in attention and memory by using repeatable neuropsychological measures. Twenty patients undergoing hemodialysis on a thrice-weekly dialysis schedule were assessed at intervals of 1, 24, and 67 hours after the last weekly hemodialysis session. For purposes of comparison, we also studied 10 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy at similar intervals. Results: CAPD patients showed overall stable performance on measures of attention and memory. However, hemodialysis patients showed significant changes (P < 0.05) in auditory memory for both immediate and delayed recall, with the greatest impairment occurring 67 hours postdialysis. Hemodialysis patients also showed a significant change (P < 0.05) in attention between the second and third test periods, ie, 24 to 67 hours postdialysis, with the greatest impairment seen at the 67-hour assessment time. No relationship was found between performance on measures of cognition and levels of postdialysis fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Conclusion: CAPD patients showed cognitive stability, whereas hemodialysis patients showed temporal fluctuations in cognitive performance.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.