Serum Levels of β2-Microglobulin as a New Form of Amyloid Protein in Patients Undergoing Long-Term Hemodialysis

Abstract
To the Editor: The carpal tunnel syndrome has been observed increasingly in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis treatment.9 Since there is a significant correlation between the duration of dialysis treatment and the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome,4 , 5 the disorder is regarded as an important complication of long-term hemodialysis. Recently, amyloid deposition has been found to be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome or to cause it,6 , 8 but the mechanism of amyloid deposition has not been clarified.We recently analyzed the amyloid protein isolated from a small block of amyloid-laden tissue that was obtained surgically from a patient being treated with hemodialysis. We . . .