Pruritus and skin hydration during dialysis

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Dermatology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Dry skin and pruritus are common in uraemic patients, but objective data is limited, especially for peritoneal dialysis patients.
• Previous research on skin dryness in haemodialysis patients is sparse and inconclusive.
• This study investigates the prevalence and severity of skin dryness and pruritus in patients receiving maintenance dialysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and severity of skin dryness and pruritus in patients undergoing haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
• To compare skin hydration levels between dialysis patients and healthy controls.
• To explore the relationship between skin hydration, pruritus, and the effectiveness of emollient therapy.

Main Methods:

• Clinical assessment and corneometry were used to measure skin dryness and stratum corneum hydration in 48 haemodialysis patients, 24 peritoneal dialysis patients, and 40 controls.
• Biochemical parameters potentially related to pruritus were measured.
• Pruritic dialysis patients received regular emollient therapy, and its efficacy was evaluated.

Main Results:

• Dialysis patients exhibited drier skin than controls, with peritoneal dialysis patients showing significantly reduced stratum corneum hydration.
• Pruritus affected 27% of haemodialysed and 54% of peritoneal dialysis patients.
• Pruritic patients had significantly lower skin hydration; emollient therapy reduced pruritus severity in most treated patients.

Conclusions:

• Reduced stratum corneum hydration is correlated with pruritus in both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.
• Simple emollient therapy can effectively alleviate pruritus associated with dry skin in dialysis patients.
• These findings highlight the importance of managing skin hydration in uraemic patients on dialysis.