Relationship Between Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and Chronic Hemodialysis via Forearm Arteriovenous Fistula

[Background]Ischemic neuropathy is a major complication in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) with arteriovenous (AV) fistula.[Objectives]The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cubital tunnel syndrome and chronic HD via forearm AV fistula.[Methods]All HD patients with forearm AV fistulas, who were referred to the hemodialysis ward of Rasoul-e-Akram and Hasheminejad hospitals from February 2014 to February 2015 and met the inclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study. They were asked about ulnar neuropathy symptoms and were under physical examination and electrophysiological studies for cubital tunnel syndrome at the time of recruitment and 1-year follow-up.[Results]A total of 90 HD patients were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 53.65 ± 17.89 years (range, 22 - 86 years), and 53 (59%) patients were male. Cubital tunnel syndrome was not detected in the patients. There was a significant difference in tingling and muscle weakness of the hand and forearm under chronic HD via forearm AV fistulas (P < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between chronic HD via forearm AV fistula and neurological symptoms, including pain and muscle atrophy of the hand and forearm (P > 0.05).[Conclusions]This research concludes that chronic HD via forearm AV fistula does not lead to cubital tunnel syndrome in HD patients.