DIALYSIS ENCEPHALOPATHY - PRECIPITATING FACTORS AND IMPROVEMENT IN PROGNOSIS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (5) , 223-228
Abstract
The course of typical dialysis encephalopathy (D.E.) in 12 patients is described. Five patients were still alive from 31-57 mo. after the onset of the disease. Their mental state improved, but 3 had severe, residual paraplegia. Improvement was associated with the presence of a well functioning renal transplant or dialysis with deionized water. Only 1 case developed since deionization of water containing more than 50 .mu.g/l of Al has been routine. The patients'' histories suggest that immobilization, surgery, administration of corticosteroids and hypophosphatemia, all of which induce a negative Ca balance, may release Al or another toxic substance from bone and precipitate the onset of D.E.