Abstract
Objectives:Uremic pruritus is a common problem in hemodialysis patients. Several treatments have been used for decreasing itching in these patients. Gabapentin and ketotifen are two drugs used for treating uremic patients. The aim of this study was to compare gabapentin and ketotifen in treatment of uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients.Methods:In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 52 hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus referred to 5azarTeaching Hospital in Gorgan in 2013 were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups of 26 subjects (groups G and K). In group G, patients treated with gabapentin capsules 100 mg daily for 2 weeks, and in Group K, patients treated with ketotifen 1 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. Before and at the end of study, pruritus severity was determined based on Shiratori’s severity scores. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS-21 statistical software.Results:There was no significant different between two groups in the age and sex. After two weeks of treatment, severity of pruritus was significantly reduced in both groups (88.4% in group G vs. 76.9% in group K). Gabapentin compared with ketotifen had a better effect on improving itching in the age group of 30-60 years and in males. 5 patients (19.2%) in both groups suffered from drowsiness and dizziness, but no serious side effects were observed.Conclusions:The results showed that gabapentin and ketotifen significantly improved pruritus in hemodialysis patients, and no significant difference was observed between two groups.
Highlights
Pruritus is one of the biggest problems in hemodialysis patients
A total of 52 hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus in two groups were treated with gabapentin and ketotifen
The results showed that both groups of patients significantly responded to treatment though the response to treatment was greater in gabapentin group (88.4% vs 76.9%), but there was no significant difference between two groups
Summary
Pruritus is one of the biggest problems in hemodialysis patients. approximately 3790% of the patients with ESRD suffer from itching.[1,2] Pathophysiology of pruritus in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) is unknown.[3,4] Uremic pruritus usually appears before starting the treatment with hemodialysis and gradually progresses.[5,6]Given the various causes of pruritus in hemodialysis patients, several treatments have been used and investigated.[7,8] Few studies have been done on the effectiveness of gabapentin with antihistamines such ketotifen.9,10In this study, the effects of gabapentin and ketotifen on improving uremic pruritus were compared. Pruritus is one of the biggest problems in hemodialysis patients. Approximately 3790% of the patients with ESRD suffer from itching.[1,2] Pathophysiology of pruritus in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) is unknown.[3,4] Uremic pruritus usually appears before starting the treatment with hemodialysis and gradually progresses.[5,6]. Given the various causes of pruritus in hemodialysis patients, several treatments have been used and investigated.[7,8] Few studies have been done on the effectiveness of gabapentin with antihistamines such ketotifen.9,10In this study, the effects of gabapentin and ketotifen on improving uremic pruritus were compared
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