A clinical study of cutaneous manifestations in patients with chronic kidney disease on conservative management, hemodialysis, and renal transplant recipient

Abstract

Background: The skin acts as an external reflection of renal diseases. The dermatologic disorders in chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be attributed to the etiology, the disease, or the treatment and can markedly affect a patient's quality of life. Aim: The aim is to study the pattern and proportion of cutaneous manifestations in CKD patients on dialysis, on conservative management and in posttransplant patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted. Seventy-five patients with CKD on hemodialysis, 25 patients with CKD on conservative management, and 20 posttransplant patients were included in the study. All the patients were clinically examined after written consent. Results: At least, one dermatological manifestation was present in every patient included in the study. The most common underlying disease that leads to CKD was diabetes mellitus. The most common manifestation was xerosis seen in 60% patients followed by pruritus seen in 43%, pallor seen in 41% and pigmentary changes seen in 28% patients. Cutaneous infections were seen in 43%, nail changes in 82%, hair changes in 40%, and oral mucosa changes were seen in 38% of patients. Drug-induced cutaneous manifestations were seen in posttransplant patients like acneiform eruptions in 32% of patients followed by hirsutism in 8%, striae in 8%, and hypertrichosis in 4% of patients. Conclusion: The proportion of xerosis, pruritus, pigmentation, and pallor are more common in the dialytic group than nondialytic group. Early recognition and some prophylactic measures can prevent or decrease some of the adverse changes.