Internal Medicine
Online ISSN : 1349-7235
Print ISSN : 0918-2918
ISSN-L : 0918-2918
Intravenous Methylcobalamin Treatment for Uremic and Diabetic Neuropathy in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Satoshi KUWABARARyoichi NAKAZAWANakanobu AZUMAMitsuru SUZUKIKeiko MIYAJIMAToshio FUKUTAKETakamichi HATTORI
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1999 Volume 38 Issue 6 Pages 472-475

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Abstract

Object: To study the effects of the intravenous administration of methylcobalamin, an analogue of vitamin B12, for uremic or uremic-diabetic polyneuropathy in patients who are receiving maintenance hemodiaiysis. An ultra-high dose of vitamin B12 has been reported to promote peripheral nerve regeneration in experimental neuropathy. Methods: Nine patients received a 500μg methylcobalamin injection 3 times a week for 6 months. The effects were evaluated using neuropathic pain grading and a nerve conduction study. Results: Serum concentrations of vitamin B12 were ultra-high during treatment due to the lack of urinary excretion. After 6 months of treatment, the patients' pain or paresthesia had lessened, and the ulnar motor and median sensory nerve conduction velocities showed significant improvement. There were no side effects. Conclusion: Intravenous methycobalamin treatment is a safe and potentially beneficial therapy for neuropathy in chronic hemodiaiysis patients.
(Internal Medicine 38: 472-475, 1999)

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© The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
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