Frequency of the uremic pruritis and its associated factors in hemodialysis patients in the Golestan Province dialysis centers in 2009

Pruritus is one of the most disabling complications in patients with chronic renal failure that have negative effect on patients’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the uremic pruritus and its associated factors in hemodialysis patients referred to the dialysis centers in Golestan Province. In this cross-sectional study, all 375 patients referred to eight dialysis centers in Golestan Province were selected via census sampling method. Data were gathered by using demogeraphic and Yosipovitch pruritus questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software through conducting t and chi square tests. The mean ± standard deviation of patient's age was 48.36 ± 13.27 years and 51.2% of patients were male. One hundred and eighty one (48.3%) patients had uremic pruritus. The lowest and highest frequency of pruritus among surveyed centers were 37.9% and 57.1%, respectively. 60.2 % of patients had localized pruritus and the most common location was back (68.8 %). There was a statistically significant correlation between uremic pruritus with number of dialysis session (P<0.001) and serum level of phosphorus (P<0.001). The results indicated that uremic pruritus is still one of the most common problems in hemodialysis patients. Therefore it seems necessary providing ways to eliminating or reducing the problem.