Cognitive Dysfunction in the Hemodialysis Population
Session Number
C20
Advisor(s)
Kenneth Wilund, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Location
B-110
Start Date
28-4-2016 8:50 AM
End Date
28-4-2016 9:15 AM
Abstract
Patients with end stage renal diseases requiring hemodialysis treatment experience cognitive impairment due to a variety of risk factors. Many risk factors come from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and dialysis itself. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in cognitive functioning in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients during a hemodialysis (HD) session. MHD patients (n=21) were recruited from dialysis clinics. Cognitive function was measured using a battery of tests from the CogState and Count Battle programs at 15 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours into a HD treatment. In addition, quality of life and depression questionnaires, heart rate, and blood pressure data was collected for comparison. Significant declines were seen in cognitive domains. Long term memory declined over the course of a dialysis session (p < 0.05). A trend toward significance was seen in working memory. In addition, questionnaires evaluating quality of life and depression were correlated with measures of cognitive function. These findings suggest that cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients is most likely due to a variety of cerebrovascular problems caused by CKD and the hemodialysis process itself. Further studies are needed to determine if other domains are also affected and to determine the primary mechanisms behind these cognitive issues.
Cognitive Dysfunction in the Hemodialysis Population
B-110
Patients with end stage renal diseases requiring hemodialysis treatment experience cognitive impairment due to a variety of risk factors. Many risk factors come from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and dialysis itself. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in cognitive functioning in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients during a hemodialysis (HD) session. MHD patients (n=21) were recruited from dialysis clinics. Cognitive function was measured using a battery of tests from the CogState and Count Battle programs at 15 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours into a HD treatment. In addition, quality of life and depression questionnaires, heart rate, and blood pressure data was collected for comparison. Significant declines were seen in cognitive domains. Long term memory declined over the course of a dialysis session (p < 0.05). A trend toward significance was seen in working memory. In addition, questionnaires evaluating quality of life and depression were correlated with measures of cognitive function. These findings suggest that cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients is most likely due to a variety of cerebrovascular problems caused by CKD and the hemodialysis process itself. Further studies are needed to determine if other domains are also affected and to determine the primary mechanisms behind these cognitive issues.