Serum beta2-microglobulin and immunoglobulin levels in young hemodialysis patients

Amyloidosis is a complication of long-term hemodialysis treatment. The major histological feature of hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis (HAA) is the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the affected lesions, due, in part, to elevated serum beta(2)-microglobulin (beta 2M) levels. In vitro studies reveal that serum immunoglobulin light and heavy chains co-deposit with beta 2M in tissues affected by HAA. Only one study of HAA has been performed in young dialysis patients. We therefore assessed risk factors for HAA in a group (n=30) of young (18.7+/-0.9 years) patients receiving chronic, uninterrupted hemodialysis using cellulose acetate membranes. All patients initiated dialysis before reaching 18 years of age. The pre-dialysis serum beta 2M level was 49.7+/-3.9 mg/l (normal 0-2.4 mg/l). Since serum albumin was normal (4.3+/-0.1 mg/dl) and serum protein/albumin was elevated(1.7+/-0.0, normal 1.2-1.5), indicating increased circulating protein, we assayed immunoglobulins in the same patients. The serum immunoglobulin levels (expressed as a percentage of the total level of serum proteins) were elevated (21.3+/-0.9%, normal 11.1%-21.0%). The Kt/v was 1.37+/-0.03, suggesting that the high levels of serum beta 2M and immunoglobulins were not due to inadequate dialysis in these patients. Patients with residual renal function (Kr) did display significantly lower serum levels of beta 2M (33.2+/-2.3, P=0.03). Furthermore, improved clearance of beta 2M correlated with higher values of Kr (r=0.914). In contrast, serum levels of immunoglobulin (22.6+/-3.7, P=0.5) were unaffected by Kr. In addition, there was no correlation between older age at onset of dialysis and serum levels of either beta 2M (r=0.107) or immunoglobulins (r=0.321). Finally, the length of time on dialysis had no effect on serum levels of either beta 2M (r=0.105) or immunoglobulins (r=0.092). Taken together, these results indicate that young hemodialysis patients may be at risk for HAA.