title: Use of sertraline for antihistamine-refractory uremic pruritus in renal palliative care patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Uremic pruritus is a common and distressing symptom occurring in 42% to 75% of end-stage renal dialysis (ESRD) patients, even in patients who are adequately dialyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients who presented to the renal palliative care clinic in a single institution with pruritus refractory to antihistamines between April 2011 and September 2012. A total of 99 patients were screened during this period; 20 were eligible for this study. Sertraline was initiated at 25 mg daily orally for the first month, with dosage increment of 25 mg monthly according to clinical response up to a maximum of 200 mg daily as necessary. Patients were followed up every 2 to 4 weeks in the renal palliative care clinic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study results showed that low-dose sertraline was effective for antihistamine-refractory uremic pruritus in renal palliative care patients. Further placebo-blinded randomized-controlled studies are warranted to clarify our findings.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong. cky842@yahoo.com.hk
authors.forename: Kwok Ying
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Cho Wing
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hilda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Man Lui
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Hon Wai
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Mau Kwong
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sham
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020280:Sertraline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D020280:Sertraline