Yafteh

Pruritus is one of the most disabling problems in patients with chronic renal failure. It is a distressing symptom with a negative impact on quality of life of patients and is also very frustrating for both patients and their physicians. The patophysiologic mechanisms of pruritus are mainly unknown. The aim of this study is to identify effective factors on the pruritus in these patients . Materials and Methods : In this cross sectional study, the degree of itching in 100 patients treated at the Valiasr medical center Hemodialysis unit, was scored according to VAS.We examined the relationship between the presence and severity of pruritus with serum levels of hemoglobin,creatinine, urea, phosphorus, calcium, albumin, parathormone and alkaline phosphatas. Results: One hundred patients( 48 women and 52 men )enrolled in the study. Pruritus was found in 45% of the patients. There was not any relationship between the severity of pruritus and sex, duration of dialysis, underlying renal disease and serum levels of hemoglobolin, urea, albumin, PTH, alkaline phosphatas, calcium, creatinine,but there was correlation between severity of pruritus with age and serum levels of phosphorus . Conclusions: Pruritus is still a common problem in hemodialysis – dependent patients. Higher serum phosphorus and concentrations appear to be important factor associated with uremic pruritus