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Abstract: PO0804

Pruritus in Hemodialysis (HD) Patients: Course of Symptoms After 12 Months

Session Information

Category: Dialysis

  • 701 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis

Authors

  • Karaboyas, Angelo, Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  • Muenz, Daniel G., Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  • Walpen, Sebastian, Vifor Pharma Ltd, Glattbrugg, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Schaufler, Thilo, Vifor Pharma Ltd, Glattbrugg, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Asgari, Elham, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, United Kingdom
  • Guebre Egziabher, Fitsum, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes , France
  • Robinson, Bruce M., Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  • Pisoni, Ronald L., Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Background

The burden of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) on HD patients has been well-established, including its association with adverse clinical events and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). However, prior studies have focused on a single baseline CKD-aP assessment, and have thus not investigated the course of CKD-aP severity over time.

Methods

We included 8178 HD patients across 21 countries in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) who had 2 CKD-aP assessments 12 months (±6 months) apart. CKD-aP intensity was assessed by a single question on the KDQOL-36 asking about the extent patients were bothered by pruritus over the past 4 weeks (5 categories; Figure 1). We stratified responses at month 12 by baseline responses.

Results

The proportion of patients at least moderately bothered by pruritus was 37% at baseline, 37% 12 months later, and 51% at either assessment (including 28% at least very much bothered). Among patients ‘not at all’ or ‘somewhat’ bothered by pruritus at baseline, 22% became at least moderately bothered 1 year later. Among patients at least moderately bothered by pruritus at baseline, 60% remained at least moderately bothered 1 year later. Overall, 43% of patients provided the same response 1 year later, compared to 28% whose pruritus improved and 28% whose pruritus worsened.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that at least half of chronic HD patients were affected by CKD-aP over the course of 1 year. CKD-aP symptoms remained unresolved 12 months later for the majority of HD patients bothered by itchy skin at baseline, reflecting an unmet medical need. Future research should investigate potential causes of CKD-aP symptoms more systematically as well as treatments used and their effectiveness. This will also highlight how changes in CKD-aP intensity may impact other key PROs.

Funding

  • NIDDK Support – This analysis was supported by Vifor. Other support includes: Amgen Inc (since 1996, founding sponsor); Astellas Pharma Inc.; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Baxter Healthcare Corp; Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd; Chugai Pharmaceutical CO., LTD; GlaxoSmithKline LLC; Horizon Therapeutics USA, Inc.; Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN); Japanese Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (JSPD); JMS Co., Ltd.; Kidney Research UK; Kidney Foundation Japan (KFJ); Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd; Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (since 1999 for Japan DOPPS); Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp; Nikkiso Co., Ltd.; ONO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd; Terumo Corporation; Torii Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd; Vifor-Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma Ltd