Elizabeth Simonsen1, Paul Komenda2, Blake Lerner1, Nicole Askin3, Clara Bohm4, James Shaw5, Navdeep Tangri2, Claudio Rigatto6. 1. Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 2. Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Chronic Disease Innovation Centre, Seven Oaks Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 3. Seven Oaks Hospital Library, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 4. Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Chronic Disease Innovation Centre, Seven Oaks Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 5. Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 6. Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Chronic Disease Innovation Centre, Seven Oaks Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: crigatto@sbgh.mb.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Uremic pruritus is a common and burdensome symptom afflicting patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been declared a priority for CKD research by patients. The optimal treatments for uremic pruritus are not well defined. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. SETTING & POPULATION: Adult patients with advanced CKD (stage ≥ 3) or receiving any form of dialysis. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception to March 6, 2017, were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of uremic pruritus treatments in patients with advanced CKD (stage ≥ 3) or receiving any form of dialysis. 2 reviewers extracted data independently. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. INTERVENTION: Any intervention for the treatment of uremic pruritus was included. OUTCOMES: A quantitative change in pruritus intensity on a visual analogue, verbal rating, or numerical rating scale. RESULTS: 44 RCTs examining 39 different treatments were included in the review. These treatments included gabapentin, pregabalin, mast cell stabilizers, phototherapy, hemodialysis modifications, and multiple other systemic and topical treatments. The largest body of evidence was found for the effectiveness of gabapentin. Due to the limited number of trials for the other treatments included, we are unable to comment on their efficacy. Risk of bias in most studies was high. LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity in design, treatments, and outcome measures rendered comparisons difficult and precluded meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the acknowledged importance of uremic pruritus to patients, with the exception of gabapentin, the current evidence for treatments is weak. Large, simple, rigorous, multiarm RCTs of promising therapies are urgently needed.
BACKGROUND:Uremic pruritus is a common and burdensome symptom afflicting patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been declared a priority for CKD research by patients. The optimal treatments for uremic pruritus are not well defined. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. SETTING & POPULATION: Adult patients with advanced CKD (stage ≥ 3) or receiving any form of dialysis. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from their inception to March 6, 2017, were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of uremic pruritus treatments in patients with advanced CKD (stage ≥ 3) or receiving any form of dialysis. 2 reviewers extracted data independently. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. INTERVENTION: Any intervention for the treatment of uremic pruritus was included. OUTCOMES: A quantitative change in pruritus intensity on a visual analogue, verbal rating, or numerical rating scale. RESULTS: 44 RCTs examining 39 different treatments were included in the review. These treatments included gabapentin, pregabalin, mast cell stabilizers, phototherapy, hemodialysis modifications, and multiple other systemic and topical treatments. The largest body of evidence was found for the effectiveness of gabapentin. Due to the limited number of trials for the other treatments included, we are unable to comment on their efficacy. Risk of bias in most studies was high. LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity in design, treatments, and outcome measures rendered comparisons difficult and precluded meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the acknowledged importance of uremic pruritus to patients, with the exception of gabapentin, the current evidence for treatments is weak. Large, simple, rigorous, multiarm RCTs of promising therapies are urgently needed.
Authors: Nicholas Hargrove; Nada El Tobgy; Olivia Zhou; Mark Pinder; Brittany Plant; Nicole Askin; Laura Bieber; David Collister; Reid Whitlock; Navdeep Tangri; Clara Bohm Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2021-03-25 Impact factor: 8.237