Uremic Pruritis - Algorithm for Management

Uremic pruritus affects more than 40% of dialysis patients. Even though is not considered a major complication of ESRD, it is significantly debilitating to patients.

Prior blog discussed the potential causes of uremic pruritus, though the clear pathogenesis remains obscure. Clearly, the whole skin seems to be affected and evidence of inflammation has been documented.

Recent article on KI by Mettang and Kremer nicely reviewed the available data. The management of uremic pruritus is limited though I have summarized in the figure a potential approach.