ABSTRACT
to assess the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] in patients with chronic renal failure [CRF] undergoing haemodialysis and to clarify the role of the various factors in its occurrence. Patients and two samples: patients sample: 20 patients with CRF undergoing haemodialysis in the main university hospital in Alexandria divided into two subgroups according to the duration of haemodialysis. subgroup A: less than 5 years and B: more than 5 years. The control sample: ten healthy persons with matched age and sex. All patients were subjected to history taking and neurological examination. Laboratory investigations included blood urea, haemoglobin and serum creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, sodium potassium and beta2-microglobulin concentrations. Electro-physological studies were done using Dantec Cantata machine. Motor and sensory conduction studies, and electromyography were performed to confirm diagnosis of the neuropathy. monoeuropathy in the form of CTS was diagnosed clinically in 55% of cases and electrophysiologicaly in 65% beta2M was significantly increased with prolonged duration of haemodialysis. However, there was no significant effect of age, sex, serum level of beta2M, the duration of haemodialysis or the side of the arterio-venous shunt when studied individually no the occurrence of CTS. However, there was no significant effect of the type of dialysis membranes. the presence of arteriovenous fistula was associated with the occurrence of CTS in a high% age of patients [65%]. Haemodailysis was associated with increased serum level of beta2-M especially in patients with prolonged duration of haemodialysis. No single variable is incriminated in the pathogenesis of CTs and it is more likely that many factors share in its occurrence i.e. it is multi-factorial. Electrophysiological assessment of uraemic patients on haemodialysis revealed subclinical CTS and hence early treatment may result in better prognosis