Subdural hematomas in chronic dialysis patients: significant and increasing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Subdural hematoma is a known complication of long-term hemodialysis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS The US Renal Data System was used to determine the occurrence rate of nontraumatic subdural hematoma in long-term dialysis patients and to evaluate time trends. RESULTS The occurrence rate of subdural hematoma in long-term dialysis patients is 10 times higher than that of the general population. From 1991 to 2002, the occurrence rate of subdural hematoma in hemodialysis patients doubled, whereas it did not change in peritoneal dialysis patients. CONCLUSIONS This high occurrence rate of subdural hematoma and its recent increase may be related to increased use of anticoagulants in long-term hemodialysis patients.