The impact of pruritus on the quality of life of patients undergoing dialysis: a single centre cohort study.

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 (HHD) or peritoneal dialysis (PPD). 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 (SSF-336), 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 (559% 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.