#2701 Prevalence of chronic kidney disease associated pruritus among hemodialysis patients in Switzerland

Chronic Kidney Disease Associated Pruritus (CKD-aP) is a frequent symptom in patients with end-stage renal disease. The reported prevalence differs between countries and is estimated between 20-40%; data on the prevalence of CKD-aP in Switzerland are lacking. This ongoing study aims to determine the prevalence and severity of CKD-aP among patients on hemodialysis in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and to investigate its association with demographic and clinical factors.

Patients aged ≥18 years, on hemodialysis for ≥6 months, and free of cognitive impairment were recruited. Clinical, laboratory and dialysis prescription characteristics were collected by an independent research nurse, who also performed CKD-aP assessment using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, numeric score 0-10) and the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS, 0 = no itch - 4 = extremely severe itch). Multiple linear regression analysis was carried-out to investigate associations of CKD-aP with demographic and clinical factors.

Preliminary data from 401 participants (mean age 69.4 years, SD 13.6; 65% men) showed a CKD-aP prevalence of 24%. Most participants with CKD-aP (69%) reported generalized itching and 35% waking-up at night because of the itching.

Mean VAS in participants with CKD-aP was 4.78 (SD 2.02) during the last 24 hours and 6.65 (SD 2.2) for the worst intensity itching during the last 24 hours. According to the VRS, most participants with CKD-aP suffered from moderate (60%) to severe itching (23%), and 72% experienced at least one severe to extremely severe episode of itching during the last 24 hours.

Despite high dialysis standards and easy access to medications, CKD-aP affected around 24% of patients on hemodialysis in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and its intensity was moderate to severe. Results may help to increase clinicians’ awareness of CKD-aP, improve its regular screening, severity reporting and treatment.