Prevalence and Severity of Pruritus in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a distressing symptom associated with dialysis that negatively affects quality of life. Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus is under-recognized due to a lack of clinical attention and symptom screening. Objective: Assess the prevalence and severity of CKD-aP in a regional hemodialysis program. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting and Patients: All outpatients receiving in-center hemodialysis at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Measurements: Patients were asked to complete the Worst Itching Intensity Numerical Scale (WI-NRS), with moderate-to-severe pruritus classified as a score greater than 4, and the Self-Assessed Disease Severity (SADS) scale. Demographic, laboratory, and prescription data were extracted from patient medical records and patients were asked to self-report over-the-counter pruritus medications. Methods: Comparative differences in demographics and laboratory values at the time of determining the WI-NRS and SADS were analyzed using a Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney Results: A total of 307 patients completed the WI-NRS and 302 completed the SADS. Fifty-seven percent of patients reported some degree of CKD-aP, 31% of patients had moderate-to-severe CKD-aP, and 9% reported interference with quality of life (patients in SADS group C). Patients with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP and those significantly affected by CKD-aP (patients in SADS group C) were more likely to use over-the-counter treatments than patients with mild or no CKD-aP ( Limitations: There were some missing data points in patient records and patients' reports of over-the-counter medications. We could not assess whether patients actually had CKD-aP, or pruritus due to other causes. Treatment adherence could not be measured as well as whether treatments were specifically prescribed for CKD-aP. Moreover, our electronic medical record system could not capture prescribed topicals or pruritus-related medical conditions. Finally, this study did not assess physician's awareness of CKD-aP. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP reported a significant impact on quality of life. Elevated PTH, phosphate, and BMI were associated with CKD-aP. In addition, almost half of patients with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP did not use any treatments. There exist gaps and opportunities for care for patients with CKD-aP. Increased clinical attention to CKD-aP could identify those who may benefit from care interventions that improve quality of life.