The impact of pruritus on the quality of life of patients undergoing dialysis: a single centre cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Pruritus is common in dialysis patients, but no studies have addressed its impact on the patients' quality of life (QoL).


OBJECTIVE
We sought to measure the impact of pruritus on the QoL of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HHD) or peritoneal dialysis (PPD).


METHODS
Pruritus intensity was measured on a 10-point visual analog scale. QoL was investigated with the 36-item Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire (SSF-336), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and a dermatological questionnaire (Skindex-29).


RESULTS
One hundred and thirty-nine patients on HD and 30 on PD were recruited. Pruritus was found in 88/169 patients (52.1%),with no differences between HD and PD patients. Prevalence of poor sleep in patients with pruritus was higher than in those without (559% vs. 11%; p<0.001). Both physical and mental scores of SF-36 did not correlate with the presence and the intensity of pruritus. Pruritus intensity was significantly related to poor scores in all 3 subscales of Skindex-29 (symptoms, social function and emotions). In the subscales of social function and emotions, worse scores were observed in patients undergoing HD and with minor psychiatric disorders (GHQpos).


CONCLUSIONS
Pruritus had a high level of impact on all aspects of QoL and was a predictor of poor sleep. Type of dialysis and minor psychiatric disorders affect the emotional and social aspects of QoL.
Tessari
Gianpaolo
G
Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. gianpaolo.tessari@azosp.vr.it
Dalle Vedove
Camilla
C
Loschiavo
Carmelo
C
Tessitore
Nicola
N
Rugiu
Carlo
C
Lupo
Antonio
A
Girolomoni
Giampiero
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult