An Observational Longitudinal Study Investigating the Effectiveness of 75 mg Pregabalin Post-Hemodialysis among Uremic Pruritus Patients

Abstract

A prospective, observational, longitudinal study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of 75 mg pregabalin (PG) post-hemodialysis (pHD) for treatment-resistant uremic pruritus (UP). A total of forty-five patients completed the entire six week follow-up. At the baseline assessment, the majority of the patients were distressed by the UP frequency and intensity. Sleep (mean = 3.30 ± 1.1), leisure/social activities (mean = 2.90 ± 0.80) and distribution (mean = 2.92 ± 0.34) were the three domains that were primarily effected by the UP. Overall, further reduction in the 5D-itching scale (IS) was noted at day 42, which confirmed a sustained (B = -12.729, CI -13.257 to -12.201, p < 0.001) relief of pruritus severity among patients with treatment-resistant pruritus. Patients with a higher serum calcium level had a score difference of +1 from the other patients (B = 1.010, p = 0.061). There was a reduction of 12 points compared to the baseline 5D-IS for each patient on day 42 after using pregabalin 75 mg PD pHD for 42 days, which represented major relief. Among the demographic factors, only gender was significantly associated with the 5D-IS score.