Abstract | AIM: Improvement of uremic pruritus has been reported under short-term administration of oral zinc sulfate. Objective of the study was to confirm efficacy and safety of oral zinc sulfate in pruritus of hemodialytic patients METHODS: A pilot randomized, triple-blind study was conducted to evaluate the pruritus of hemodialytic patients. Forty eligible patients were screened and assigned to receive either zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) or matched placebo for a 4-week trial. Pruritus scale was evaluated at the initiation of the study and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the treatment. We used a modified score proposed by Duo assessing pruritus severity, distribution of pruritus, and frequency of pruritus-related sleep disturbance. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients completed the study. The mean pruritus score decreased in both groups during the first and the second weeks of trial; however, it was more prominent in zinc group than placebo one. In the zinc group, 4 (20%) patients showed pruritus discontinuation during treatment period whereas, in the placebo group, the number was only 1 (5%) patient. Nonetheless, T-test revealed no statistically significant difference between the zinc and placebo groups (P=0.88 and P=0.56, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that oral zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) during four weeks treatment might be safe and effective in discontinuation of uremic pruritus, but it was not significant. This could be because of the small number of patients; therefore, we suggest conducting more studies with larger sample size.
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Authors | M A Mapar, N Pazyar, A Siahpoosh, S M Latifi, S S Beladi Mousavi, A Khazanee |
Journal | Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia
(G Ital Dermatol Venereol)
Vol. 150
Issue 4
Pg. 351-5
(Aug 2015)
ISSN: 1827-1820 [Electronic] Italy |
PMID | 24825404
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adult
- Aged
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Pruritus
(complications, drug therapy, etiology)
- Renal Dialysis
(adverse effects)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Sleep Wake Disorders
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
- Uremia
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Young Adult
- Zinc Sulfate
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
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