Clinical observation of treatment of uremic pruritus with hemodialysis combined with hemoperfusion

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of maintenance hemodialysis (HD) combined with hemoperfusion( HP) in treatment of uremic pruritis. Methods The 81 uremic patients with uremic pruritus were divided into 3 groups according to degree of skin itching. Each group was randomly divided into treatment group and control group. On the basis of nutrition support and comprehensive treatment, patients in treatment group were treated with combined HD + HP, while the patients in control group received HD treatment only. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) levels and the degree of pruritus in patients were measured before treatment, treatment for 3 weeks and 6 weeks after in each group. Results effects were evaluated by comparing the PTH, β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) levels and the degree of pruritus of the experimental groups and control groups. Results 3 weeks and 6 weeks after treatment, the PTH and β2-MG levels in the experimental groups were markedly decreased (P ＜ 0.05). After 3 weeks treatment, compared with the control group the pruritus symptoms improved in the treatment group, and the visual analogue scales (VAS) score 6-8 group improved most significantly (P ＜ 0.05). After 6 weeks treatment, compared with the control group the pruritus symptoms improved in the treatment group, and the VAS score ＞ 6 group improved most significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion HP + HD combination therapy can significantly reduce PTH, β2-MG levels and skin itching in uremic patients. Key words: Hemodialysis;  Hemoperfusion;  Pruritus;  Uremia