Current Practices in CKD-Associated Pruritus: International Nephrologist Survey
James O. Burton, Sebastian Walpen, Sandrine Danel, Bernd Schröppel
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is common in patients on maintenance dialysis, impacting their quality of life (QoL).1-3 CKD-aP prevalence may be underestimated and underdiagnosed.4 Data from Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Studies (DOPPS) found that 17% of patients on hemodialysis who were nearly or always bothered by itch did not report symptoms to a health care professional.2 Patients reported being unaware of CKD-aP causes and/or accepting CKD-aP as something to live with; lack of concern and/or knowledge regarding CKD-aP by health care professionals; or hesitancy of health care professionals to discuss pruritus, partly because of a previous lack of approved treatments.