What is Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome?
Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS) encompasses various neurological symptoms experienced during or after dialysis treatment, particularly when dialysis is newly started. However, it can also occur in patients who regularly undergo dialysis but miss their routine treatments. The syndrome is believed to result from fluid changes during hemodialysis that can cause brain swelling and numerous neurological symptoms. In continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT), a type of dialysis where fluid shift is minimized, DDS is rarely observed.
What Causes Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome?
There are a number of factors that can increase the chances of a patient experiencing a condition called dialysis dysequilibrium syndrome. These include:
* Having their first hemodialysis treatment
* High levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which is above 175 mg/dL or 60 mmol/L, before starting dialysis
* Being at an extreme age, either very young or very old
* A sudden change in their dialysis treatment plan
* Pre-existing brain-related conditions like stroke, severe high blood pressure, head injury, or seizure disorder
* Having other conditions that cause brain swelling (such as low sodium levels in the blood, liver disease that affects the brain)
Conditions that increase the ease with which substances can pass from the blood into the brain (such as severe infections, meningitis, brain inflammation, a syndrome that damages blood vessels in the kidney, and inflammation of the blood vessels) can also increase the risk.
Risk Factors and Frequency for Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome
Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome was first documented in 1962. The exact number of cases is hard to pin down because its symptoms can be quite broad, which makes it tricky to diagnose. Plus, not every case might be reported. It typically happens more often after fast-paced dialysis treatment and particularly affects people who are more prone to health risks. However, it is believed that the occurrence of this syndrome has reduced over time, since people have become more aware of it and take steps to prevent it.
Signs and Symptoms of Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome
High blood urea nitrogen levels are often seen in patients with chronic kidney disease, as opposed to acute kidney injury, wherein aggressive urea removal is needed after initial dialysis treatment. This can result in some symptoms, commonly referred to as dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS).
More often than not, DDS symptoms are mild and go away on their own. These symptoms typically include headaches, nausea, or blurred vision, as well as other brain-related symptoms such as restlessness and confusion. These symptoms usually start shortly after dialysis begins and often resolve within hours. However, some symptoms, like dizziness and muscle cramps, may occur towards the end of dialysis and are also considered part of DDS. On rare occasions, DDS can increase the pressure inside the eye.
In severe cases, DDS symptoms can worsen and lead to seizures, excessive sleepiness, confusion, or coma, all of which can potentially lead to death.
- Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, blurred vision, restlessness, and confusion
- These symptoms often start after dialysis and resolve within hours
- Some symptoms, like dizziness and muscle cramps, may occur towards the end of dialysis
- DDS can, on rare occasions, increase the pressure inside the eye
- Severe cases may lead to seizures, excessive sleepiness, confusion, or coma, and can be fatal
Testing for Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome
Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS) is diagnosed based on a patient’s symptoms and medical history, rather than specific lab tests or imaging. This means that it’s usually considered after other possible conditions have been ruled out. Often, it’s suspected in patients who start to develop symptoms after they’ve begun dialysis treatment, or who have resumed their dialysis treatment after a break.
There are other clinical conditions that can cause similar symptoms, so these should also be considered when trying to figure out the correct diagnosis. In simpler terms, DDS is typically a last-resort diagnosis when all other possibilities have been exhausted.
Treatment Options for Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome
The best approach to manage DDS, or Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome, is to prevent its onset. However, if a patient starts showing symptoms, specific steps should be followed:
One immediate treatment is sodium remodeling. This treatment involves adjusting the sodium levels in the dialysis prescription or changing the settings on the dialysis machine. Such modifications can often relieve symptoms in as little as 30 minutes, so it’s generally not necessary to stop the dialysis. If symptoms persist, like nausea or vomiting, they can be addressed individually. But if symptoms don’t fade with treatment, it may be necessary to occasionally halt dialysis so that other potential causes can be investigated.
Sometimes symptoms of DDS remain severe despite sodium remodeling. In such cases, measures to reduce pressure within the brain could be considered. Some experts suggest using a high-saline solution or intravenous mannitol to lower osmotic shift, but the evidence for these approaches is limited. There have also been reports of adding urea to the dialysate to facilitate intensive dialysis sessions and avert possible neurological issues.
Preventing DDS might involve starting with slow, gentle dialysis, specifically managing urea to prevent osmotic gradient formation, adjusting sodium levels in the dialysate, and using osmotically active substances. Although guidelines are not definitive, most experts recommend slow and gradual removal of urea.
For patients who are new to dialysis, it might be beneficial to begin with short, two-hour sessions at slower speeds or opt for sustained low-efficiency dialysis, followed by further dialysis sessions in the days after. If no DDS symptoms appear during the initial session, the blood flow and dialysate flow can be incrementally increased. Further adjustments can be made in future sessions to match outpatient settings. Starting dialysis as an inpatient might be considered in cases where BUN is over 100mg/dl or patients have neurological symptoms, such as altered mental status or irregular muscle contractions.
In situations where patients frequently miss dialysis, repeated hospitalization for slow dialysis initiation might not be possible. In these cases, sodium modeling can be used, some dialysis machines have built-in capabilities for this, which can regulate sodium levels to prevent an over-concentration of sodium by the end of the session.
What else can Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome be?
When doctors try to diagnose DDS, they must consider a range of potential causes. These might include:
- Kidney failure (uremia)
- Stroke
- A bleed between the brain and its outermost covering (subdural hematoma)
- Imbalances in body chemicals (for example, low sodium or blood sugar levels)
- Brain dysfunction caused by certain drugs (drug-induced encephalopathy)
- Infections of the brain or its protective layers (such as meningitis or encephalitis).
To help with diagnosis, doctors sometimes use tests like EEG (which measures brain waves), but the usefulness of these tests is limited. MRI scans can be useful as they provide detailed images of the brain, particularly when used with something called diffusion-weighted imaging. This technique helps doctors assess water content in the brain, which may aid in making the correct diagnosis.
What to expect with Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome
Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome is typically temporary, with symptoms disappearing quickly. This means the overall outlook is usually good, and in most instances, dialysis doesn’t need to be stopped. However, in extreme cases, symptoms can escalate and cause seizures, drowsiness, and even unconsciousness or coma, which can be life-threatening.
Possible Complications When Diagnosed with Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome
Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome can lead to various complications, mainly due to delays in recognizing the condition and implementing strategies to prevent it. In rare instances, there can be severe consequences when the condition leads to swelling in the brain. This can cause severe neurological problems, including seizures, coma, and in severe cases, even death.
Preventing Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome
Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome is a group of symptoms that can sometimes occur during dialysis treatment. This is most common in patients who are starting dialysis for the first time or who have skipped multiple dialysis sessions. This syndrome happens when substances like urea, which usually build up in the blood, are suddenly cleared away by the dialysis. This fast change can upset the balance of fluids inside the brain cells, causing them to swell.
This swelling can lead to a number of symptoms including headaches, feeling of sickness, feeling restless, becoming confused or, in more serious situations, it can cause seizures, coma, and even death. While it’s not as common now because of better understanding and awareness, dialysis disequilibrium syndrome can still cause discomfort and stress for patients.
Therefore, it’s essential for patients to report any symptoms as soon as they start dialysis in order for the medical team to take preventative steps. It’s also crucial to educate patients and their families on the importance of attending regular dialysis sessions. This regularity can help reduce the chance of experiencing this syndrome.