Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review

Uremic pruritus (UP), also called chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP), is a bothersome symptom that causes sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Pruritus often occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease. There is still no definite treatment for UP...

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Main Authors: Ping-Hsun Lu, Yu-Chih Tai, Min-Chien Yu, I-Hsin Lin, Ko-Lin Kuo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
Series:Tzu Chi Medical Journal
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Online Access:http://www.tcmjmed.com/article.asp?issn=1016-3190;year=2021;volume=33;issue=4;spage=350;epage=358;aulast=Lu
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author Ping-Hsun Lu
Yu-Chih Tai
Min-Chien Yu
I-Hsin Lin
Ko-Lin Kuo
author_facet Ping-Hsun Lu
Yu-Chih Tai
Min-Chien Yu
I-Hsin Lin
Ko-Lin Kuo
author_sort Ping-Hsun Lu
collection DOAJ
description Uremic pruritus (UP), also called chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP), is a bothersome symptom that causes sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Pruritus often occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease. There is still no definite treatment for UP due to its unclear pathogenesis. We searched electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) and gathered the latest clinical trials and pilot studies of Western and complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for UP in English. These UP studies were separated into three main groups: systemic, topical, and others and CAM. Gabapentin, nalfurafine, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal bath therapy (CHBT) show antipruritic effects, with higher evidence grades in the meta-analysis. Emollients with additive compounds are more effective for reducing itch than emollients without additives. Supplements for deficient elements, such as zinc, omega-3, and omega-6, also show benefits for pruritus improvement. CAM therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, and herbal baths or creams all have good results for UP treatment. We summarize the treatments and suggest a treatment algorithm for UP according to severity. Some UP therapies are already supported by large-scale clinical evidence, and some new treatments can provide patients with new hope and treatment options. However, these new methods still need large population studies and further exploration.
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spelling doaj-art-542fa2ee75f14d7796c9c90e2283af662025-08-20T02:15:54ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsTzu Chi Medical Journal1016-31902223-89562021-01-0133435035810.4103/tcmj.tcmj_151_20Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature reviewPing-Hsun LuYu-Chih TaiMin-Chien YuI-Hsin LinKo-Lin KuoUremic pruritus (UP), also called chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP), is a bothersome symptom that causes sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Pruritus often occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease. There is still no definite treatment for UP due to its unclear pathogenesis. We searched electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) and gathered the latest clinical trials and pilot studies of Western and complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for UP in English. These UP studies were separated into three main groups: systemic, topical, and others and CAM. Gabapentin, nalfurafine, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal bath therapy (CHBT) show antipruritic effects, with higher evidence grades in the meta-analysis. Emollients with additive compounds are more effective for reducing itch than emollients without additives. Supplements for deficient elements, such as zinc, omega-3, and omega-6, also show benefits for pruritus improvement. CAM therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, and herbal baths or creams all have good results for UP treatment. We summarize the treatments and suggest a treatment algorithm for UP according to severity. Some UP therapies are already supported by large-scale clinical evidence, and some new treatments can provide patients with new hope and treatment options. However, these new methods still need large population studies and further exploration.http://www.tcmjmed.com/article.asp?issn=1016-3190;year=2021;volume=33;issue=4;spage=350;epage=358;aulast=Luchronic kidney diseasecomplementary and alternative medicinedialysisend-stage renal diseaseuremic pruritus
spellingShingle Ping-Hsun Lu
Yu-Chih Tai
Min-Chien Yu
I-Hsin Lin
Ko-Lin Kuo
Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review
Tzu Chi Medical Journal
chronic kidney disease
complementary and alternative medicine
dialysis
end-stage renal disease
uremic pruritus
title Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review
title_full Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review
title_fullStr Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review
title_full_unstemmed Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review
title_short Western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus: A literature review
title_sort western and complementary alternative medicine treatment of uremic pruritus a literature review
topic chronic kidney disease
complementary and alternative medicine
dialysis
end-stage renal disease
uremic pruritus
url http://www.tcmjmed.com/article.asp?issn=1016-3190;year=2021;volume=33;issue=4;spage=350;epage=358;aulast=Lu
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AT minchienyu westernandcomplementaryalternativemedicinetreatmentofuremicpruritusaliteraturereview
AT ihsinlin westernandcomplementaryalternativemedicinetreatmentofuremicpruritusaliteraturereview
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