Gastrointestinal involvement of dialysis-related amyloidosis.

Beta-2 microglobulin-related amyloids were found in gastric biopsy specimens from 3 of 11 patients who had been on hemodialysis more than 10 years and examined. The deposits were found not only in arteriolar walls but also in lamina propria and muscle tissue. In another patient who was on hemodialysis for 8 years, beta 2-microglobulin-related amyloids were found in the muscle layer of operatively resected colon. These four patients also had the same substance deposited in the osteoarticular system. The results suggest the systemic involvement of beta 2-microglobulin-related amyloidosis in patients on long-term hemodialysis.