Original scientific paper
Laboratory and Sonographic Findings in Dialyzed Patients with Bilateral Chronic Knee Pain versus Dialyzed Asymptomatic Patients
Igor Barišić
Dragan Ljutić
Tonko Vlak
Josip Bekavac
Stipan Janković
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate connection of plasma level of b2-microglobulin, C-reactive protein and uric acid as
well as sonographic parameters like thickness of synovial membrane, thickness of femoral condylar cartilage and presence
of joint effusion and Baker’s cysts with bilateral knee pain in dialyzed patients, comparing them with parameters in
asymptomatic dialyzed patients. Plasma levels of b2-microglobulin and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in
symptomatic patients while uric acid level showed no difference among the groups. In symptomatic patients synovial
membrane was thicker and in those patients there were more knee effusions and Baker’s cysts. Thickness of femoral
condylar cartilage showed no difference between groups. That suggests that inflammatory mechanisms developing from
b2-microglobulin accumulation could be important factor in bilateral knee pain in dialyzed patients even in shorter duration
dialysis.
Keywords
b2-microglobulin; sonographic parameters; bilateral knee pain; dialysis
Hrčak ID:
27372
URI
Publication date:
10.4.2007.
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