Mr Ethan Driver1, Dr Aron Chakera1
1Sir Charles Gairdner Hosptial, Perth, Australia
Biography:
My name is Ethan Driver and I am a 21 year old, final year biomedical science student at the university of Notre Dame who is an aspiring medical student. Since working in a hospital as a ward clerk on the dialysis ward, I have become captivated by all the facets of renal medicine and wanted to do further research into finding ways to improve the quality of life of patients on dialysis.
Aim:
This project investigates the prevalence, severity, and impact of dialysis-associated pruritus (DAP) on haemodialysis patients using validated scoring tools.
Background:
Pruritus is a common and debilitating symptom in dialysis patients, often affecting sleep, mental health, and overall quality of life. Despite its frequency, DAP remains poorly understood and under treated, making it critical to address for comprehensive patient care and quality of life improvement.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among haemodialysis patients from both inpatient and outpatient settings. Participants were assessed using the Worst Itching Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS), the EQ-5D-5L quality of life tool, and modified questions from the Integrated Patient Outcome Scale (IPOS). The questionnaires were administered during dialysis sessions. Additional clinical and demographic data—including CRP, PTH, calcium, phosphate, albumin, haemoglobin, serum urea, Kt/V, dialysis duration, kidney failure causes, and allergy history—were collected to explore correlations with pruritus severity.
Results:
The data was entered into REDCap for analysis. Among the patients, 51.5% reported no itching, while 48.5% experienced varying degrees of itch. Within the subset of patients who reported with itching, 24.3% reported moderate to severe sleep deprivation. Mental health was also affected, with 27.3% noting slight to moderate anxiety and depression. These findings illustrate the multifaceted impact of DAP on the patient’s quality of life.
Conclusions:
Technological literacy posed a challenge in survey administration, leading to data entry issues and patient frustration. Some patients were unable or unwilling to participate fully, especially in inpatient settings. Despite these limitations, the study highlights the importance of early DAP detection, the need for regular pruritus assessments in dialysis care, and the potential benefits of targeted pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, including difelikefalin.