Comparison of the efficacy and safety of zinc sulfate vs. placebo in the treatment of pruritus of hemodialytic patients: a pilot randomized, triple-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
Improvement of uremic pruritus has been reported under short-term administration of oral zinc sulfate. Objective of the study was to confirm efficacy and safety of oral zinc sulfate in pruritus of hemodialytic patients


METHODS
A pilot randomized, triple-blind study was conducted to evaluate the pruritus of hemodialytic patients. Forty eligible patients were screened and assigned to receive either zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) or matched placebo for a 4-week trial. Pruritus scale was evaluated at the initiation of the study and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the treatment. We used a modified score proposed by Duo assessing pruritus severity, distribution of pruritus, and frequency of pruritus-related sleep disturbance.


RESULTS
Thirty-six patients completed the study. The mean pruritus score decreased in both groups during the first and the second weeks of trial; however, it was more prominent in zinc group than placebo one. In the zinc group, 4 (20%) patients showed pruritus discontinuation during treatment period whereas, in the placebo group, the number was only 1 (5%) patient. Nonetheless, T-test revealed no statistically significant difference between the zinc and placebo groups (P=0.88 and P=0.56, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrated that oral zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) during four weeks treatment might be safe and effective in discontinuation of uremic pruritus, but it was not significant. This could be because of the small number of patients; therefore, we suggest conducting more studies with larger sample size.
Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran - dr.pazyar@gmail.com.
M A
MA
Mapar
N
N
Pazyar
A
A
Siahpoosh
S M
SM
Latifi
S S
SS
Beladi Mousavi
A
A
Khazanee
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014511:Uremia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D019287:Zinc Sulfate