title: Longitudinal predictors of uremic pruritus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pruritus is a common problem among hemodialyzed patients. Its causes are poorly understood, and, as a result, itching is often attributed to elevated serum phosphorus and other disorders of bone and minerals. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between pruritus and common tests of bone and mineral disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of 3 months of ergocalciferol versus placebo treatment in 50 hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus. A pruritus survey was administered at baseline and then every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Concurrent serum phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, and calcium-phosphate product were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pruritus score was not found to be associated or correlated with serum phosphate, intact PTH, serum calcium, or calcium-phosphate product at each time interval or over time. Likewise, when analyzed by original study group (placebo or ergocalciferol), no association or correlation between the mineral and bone indicators and itching were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither serum phosphate nor other tests of bone and mineral status were found to be significant predictors of pruritus at any point in time or over time.
authors.affiliation: Winthrop-University Hospital, Division of Nephrology, Mineola, New York.
authors.forename: Shayan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirazian
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: Vipul
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sakhiya
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schanler
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moledina
authors.forename: Chinmay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Azzour
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hazzan
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fishbane
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D010919:Placebos; D011537:Pruritus / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D004872:Ergocalciferols; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D010919:Placebos; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium