Pruritus in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Twenty-nine patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were examined for dermatologic symptoms. Nineteen patients (66%) complained of pruritus, which was classified as mild (34%), moderate (24%), and severe (8%). Patients with pruritus did not differ from those without pruritus regarding serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, calcium, alkaline phosphatase or aluminum, nor was there any difference in duration of hemodialysis, age or sex. In pruritic patients serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone were significantly higher when determined with a mid-region radioimmunoassay technique (p less than 0.01) and higher, although not significantly, when the intact parathyroid hormone molecule was measured. Serum concentrations of phosphate were significantly lower in patients with pruritus (p less than 0.05).