The Impact of End-Stage Renal Disease Duration on Xerosis and Pruritus in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/GBMN.2025.01.01.146Keywords:
Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, end-stage renal disease, pruritus, xerosisAbstract
Background: Uremic pruritus and xerosis, also called chronic kidney disease (CKD)- associated pruritus and xerosis, are common and debilitating symptoms experienced by patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and cause significant discomfort. Objectives: Our research aimed to determine the influence of disease duration on the dermatologic status of these patients. Methods: The Bioethics Commission of Tbilisi State Medical University approved the study protocols and data collection procedures. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Based on the presence of uremic pruritus and/or xerosis, study 82 selected subjects divided by two groups: group 1 – the duration of ESRD <5 years (n=42, mean duration 2.1±1.1); and group 2 – the duration of ESRD ≥5 years (n=40, mean duration 12.5±6.3). Results: Uremic xerosis was observed in 76.2% of cases in group 1 and in 85.0% in group 2. The difference between groups was not significant (Chi2-test=1.00, p=0.317). However, the distribution of patients by degree of xerosis differed. The percentage of patients with mild xerosis in group 1 was significantly higher compared to group 2 (54.8% vs. 32.5%, respectively; Chi2-test=4.07, p=0.044); whereas the patients with a severe degree of xerosis prevailed in group 2 (2.4% vs. 22.5%, respectively; Chi2-test=7.65, p=0.006). Uremic pruritus was observed in 28 cases (66.7%) in group 1 and in 26 cases (65.0%) in group 2. The difference between groups was not significant (p>0.05). The distribution of patients by degree of pruritus was not statistically different either. Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, the duration of ESRD and hemodialysis treatment significantly impacts patients' dermatologic status and health-related quality of life. The severity of xerosis and pruritus increased with the increase in years with hemodialysis.References
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