title: Patients in Haemodialysis Experienced Uraemic Pruritus as a Dual Phenomenon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Uraemic pruritus (UP) is one of the most frequent symptoms for patients in haemodialysis. Studies show that UP decreases quality of life including sleep. Patients find it difficult to describe the symptoms of UP to healthcare professionals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore how patients in haemodialysis experience the phenomenon of UP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative phenomenological-hermeneutic framework was used. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were undertaken at a Danish university hospital in November 2015. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using Malterud's principles of systematic text condensation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients gave conflicting descriptions of the phenomenon. Patients experienced UP as a dual phenomenon described as 'the itch' and 'itching'. 'The itch' will never disappear and is unmanageable, and 'itching' appears intermittently and is possible to prevent and alleviate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is impossible for patients to manage UP on their own but it may be possible to manage it as a dual phenomenon. This knowledge can give both patients and healthcare professionals a new perspective on UP and its symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tarp
authors.affiliation: University College VIA, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Malene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonde-Petersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finderup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014511:Uremia / Q000209:etiology*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Haemodialysis; Patient Involvement; Uraemic pruritus