Cognitive Dysfunction in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide growing health problem that is frequently associated with cognitive deficits. The aim of our study was to characterize the pattern of cognitive functioning of adults with CKD on regular hemodialysis. We also aimed to evaluate the potential effect of a single dialysis session on cognitive function. Subject and methods: Our study included thirty CKD patients on regular hemodialysis and twenty comparison subjects matched for age, sex and education and co-morbid conditions. To assess changes over the dialysis cycle, we assessed HD patients immediately before and again 24 hours post-dialysis. The results: regards MMSE all patients had normal results, as regards trail A 93% of patients had abnormal results, as regards trail B 67% of patients had abnormal results, as regards logical memory A 43% of patients had abnormal results, and regarding logical memory B 13% of patients had abnormal results. A highly significant cognitive impairment detected in hemodialysis patients regarding memory, attention and executive functions compared to non CKD individuals. However, a single dialysis session improved several aspects of cognitive function. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that among adults with CKD5D, lower cognitive performance is common, compared with non-renal subjects. Even more severely affected were executive functions. In addition, this study showed that a single dialysis session improves several aspects of cognitive function. Keywords:Conginitive impairment, Hamodialysis, Chronic kidney disease.