[Uremic pruritus].

Abstract

Uremic pruritus is a common and sometimes severe complication of chronic renal failure. Itch affects 50-90% of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis and 25% of patients with preterminal chronic renal failure. The mechanism underlying uremic pruritus is poorly understood; possibilities include histamin, proteases, interleukin-2 and TNF- produced by skin mast-cells, substance P, neuropathy and neurological changes, high level of Ca, P, PTH, Al, Mg, divalent ion abnormalities, hypervitaminosis A, inflammation, or some combination of these. Therapeutic measures include regular efficient dialysis, transplantation, topical measures as an emollients, topical steroids, systemic measures as diet, opioids and physical treatment with phototherapy, acupuncture etc. Treatment results are highly variable and more research is needed to understand the patophysiology of this condition and to establish more reliable treatments. Most effective treatments in this moment are efficient dialysis, dietary restrictions, phosphate-binding therapy and phototherapy.