Cognitive function in dialysis patients.
There are few detailed studies of cognitive function in dialysis patients. However, appreciating the prevalence and risk factors for cognitive impairment is important because cognitive impairment may decrease an individual's quality of life, increase resource utilization, and result in suboptimal medical care because of difficulty following caregiver recommendations. Cognitive impairment also is likely to become more of a problem as the dialysis population ages. In this review, we argue that cerebrovascular disease is an important cause of cognitive impairment in dialysis patients and discuss risk factors specific for vascular disease, as well as other factors that may influence cognitive function. We describe the structural brain abnormalities frequently seen in dialysis patients and the specific neurocognitive changes noted in prior studies. We explore potential measures to reduce cognitive impairment in this population. We conclude that additional research is needed in this area.
Pereira
Arema A
AA
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Weiner
Daniel E
DE
Scott
Tammy
T
Sarnak
Mark J
MJ
D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015897:Comorbidity; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions; D000535:Aluminum