Uremic pruritus in the chronic renal failure patients.

Chronic renal failure is connected with various cutaneous symptoms, of which the persistent pruritus is regarded as the most distressing and severily affecting the quality of life. The pathophysiology of uremic pruritus is poorly understood but believed to result from metabolic disequilibrium, increased release of pruritogenic mediators and altered balance between the opioid receptors. Several methods of controlling pruritus are considered, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options, but their efficacy is still unsatisfactory.