Chapter 76
Pruritus
J. Pedro Teixeira,
Sara A. Combs,
Michael J. Germain,
Sara N. Davison,
J. Pedro Teixeira
Department of Medicine, Divisions of Nephrology and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSara A. Combs
Department of Medicine, Divisions of Nephrology and Palliative Care, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMichael J. Germain
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University, Springfield, MA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSara N. Davison
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Pedro Teixeira,
Sara A. Combs,
Michael J. Germain,
Sara N. Davison,
J. Pedro Teixeira
Department of Medicine, Divisions of Nephrology and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSara A. Combs
Department of Medicine, Divisions of Nephrology and Palliative Care, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMichael J. Germain
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University, Springfield, MA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSara N. Davison
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorBook Editor(s):Jonathan C. Craig MBChB, DipCH, MMed(Clin Epi), PhD, FAHMS,
Donald A. Molony MD,
Giovanni F.M. Strippoli MD, PhD, MPH, MM (Epi),
Jonathan C. Craig MBChB, DipCH, MMed(Clin Epi), PhD, FAHMS
Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor Vice President and Executive Dean
College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDonald A. Molony MD
Professor of Medicine Distinguished Teaching Professor of the University of Texas System
Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension AND Center for Clinical Research and Evidence-based Medicine, McGovern Medical School University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
Search for more papers by this authorGiovanni F.M. Strippoli MD, PhD, MPH, MM (Epi)
Professor of Nephrology Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation – University of Bari, Bari, Italy
School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 18 November 2022
Summary
Pruritus attributable to kidney dysfunction, or uremic pruritus (UP), is a common and distressing symptom that affects patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This chapter reviews the available evidence surrounding the symptom of pruritus as it affects patients with CKD. It also outlines the epidemiologic data reported worldwide, describes pathogenesis of UP, and outlines its clinical presentation, diagnosis, assessment tools, and available treatment options. UP has been less extensively studied than pruritus in general and may be caused by mechanisms different than those underpinning pruritus from other etiologies. Pruritus is a symptom and is thus inherently subjective. Scratch lesions can be quantitated; however, this assessment method often fails to capture the significance of pruritus to patients. Acupuncture is commonly used worldwide as a primary, adjunct, or alternative treatment for pain and other symptoms.
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