Background: Pruritus is common in dialysis patients, but no studies have addressed its impact on the patients' quality of life (QoL). Objective: We sought to measure the impact of pruritus on the QoL of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: Pruritus intensity was measured on a 10-point visual analog scale. QoL was investigated with the 36-item Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire (SF-36), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and a dermatological questionnaire (Skindex-29). Results: One hundred and thirty-nine patients on HD and 30 on PD were recruited. Pruritus was found in 88/169 patients (52.1%), with no differences between HD and PD patients. Prevalence of poor sleep in patients with pruritus was higher than in those without (59% vs. 11%; p<0.001). Both physical and mental scores of SF-36 did not correlate with the presence and the intensity of pruritus. Pruritus intensity was significantly related to poor scores in all 3 subscales of Skindex-29 (symptoms, social function and emotions). In the subscales of social function and emotions, worse scores were observed in patients undergoing HD and with minor psychiatric disorders (GHQpos). Conclusions: Pruritus had a high level of impact on all aspects of QoL and was a predictor of poor sleep. Type of dialysis and minor psychiatric disorders affect the emotional and social aspects of QoL.
The impact of pruritus on quality of life of patients undergoing dialysis: A single-center cohort study
TESSARI, Gianpaolo;DALLE VEDOVE, Camilla;TESSITORE, NICOLA;RUGIU, CARLO;LUPO, Antonio;GIROLOMONI, Giampiero
2009-01-01
Abstract
Background: Pruritus is common in dialysis patients, but no studies have addressed its impact on the patients' quality of life (QoL). Objective: We sought to measure the impact of pruritus on the QoL of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: Pruritus intensity was measured on a 10-point visual analog scale. QoL was investigated with the 36-item Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire (SF-36), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and a dermatological questionnaire (Skindex-29). Results: One hundred and thirty-nine patients on HD and 30 on PD were recruited. Pruritus was found in 88/169 patients (52.1%), with no differences between HD and PD patients. Prevalence of poor sleep in patients with pruritus was higher than in those without (59% vs. 11%; p<0.001). Both physical and mental scores of SF-36 did not correlate with the presence and the intensity of pruritus. Pruritus intensity was significantly related to poor scores in all 3 subscales of Skindex-29 (symptoms, social function and emotions). In the subscales of social function and emotions, worse scores were observed in patients undergoing HD and with minor psychiatric disorders (GHQpos). Conclusions: Pruritus had a high level of impact on all aspects of QoL and was a predictor of poor sleep. Type of dialysis and minor psychiatric disorders affect the emotional and social aspects of QoL.
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