Pruritus in dialysis patients. Review and new perspectives

Nefrologia (Engl Ed). 2022 Jan-Feb;42(1):15-21. doi: 10.1016/j.nefroe.2022.02.004. Epub 2022 Feb 15.

Abstract

Uremic pruritus (UP) is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms for patients in dialysis. UP has a great impact on dialysis patients' quality of life and has a great prevalence between those (28-70%). Physiopathology of UP is unknown and usually is unnoticed for most nephrologists (in more than 65% of centers is underdiagnosed). This lack of awareness drives to the unsuccessful treatment of this symptom. Moreover, the fact that most studies have been carried out on small populations and the difficulty assessing UP complicates a correct therapeutical approach. For this reason, we have designed treatment algorithms based on the efficacy of the drugs but also its safeness to avoid adverse effects.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Dialysis; Difelikefalin; Diálisis; Enfermedad renal crónica; Gabapentin; Gabapentina; Pregabalin; Pregabalina; Prurito; Pruritus.

MeSH terms

  • Gabapentin / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Pruritus / etiology
  • Quality of Life
  • Renal Dialysis* / adverse effects
  • Uremia* / complications
  • Uremia* / therapy
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / adverse effects

Substances

  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin