We studied 56 patients who had been receiving peritoneal dialysis for greater than 3 years, to investigate the prevalence of rheumatic diseases suggestive of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) amyloid deposition. Eight patients were found to have carpal tunnel syndrome, 16 had chronic shoulder pain, 8 had subchondral bone cysts, and 13 had destructive arthropathies. Amyloid reacting with anti-beta 2m was demonstrated in the hip synovium of 1 patient. Serum beta 2m levels were elevated in all patients. These data suggest that peritoneal dialysis, like hemodialysis, may lead to the development of an arthropathy associated with beta 2m accumulation and beta 2m amyloid deposition.