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Review
. 2021 Oct 14;14(Suppl 3):i1-i7.
doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfab142. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Epidemiology and burden of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus

Dana Kim  1 , Carol Pollock  1
Affiliations
Review

Epidemiology and burden of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus

Dana Kim et al. Clin Kidney J. .

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a common, yet underrecognized condition in patients with CKD and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Real-world observational studies indicate that CKD-aP affects up to 80% of ESKD patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD), with ∼40% experiencing moderate to severe itch. CKD-aP can negatively impact patients' mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and is also associated with sleep disturbance and depression. Several studies have found that CKD-aP is a predictor of adverse medical outcomes, including an increased risk of hospitalizations and mortality. In this article we review the literature relating to the epidemiology of CKD-aP to describe its prevalence across the treatment spectrum of CKD (non-dialysis, HD, peritoneal dialysis and transplant recipients) and to summarize potential risk factors associated with its development. We also review key data from studies that have evaluated the impact of CKD-aP on HRQoL and medical outcomes.

Keywords: chronic kidney disease; end-stage kidney disease; itch; quality of life; uraemic pruritus.

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