Quality of Life in Patients with Uraemic Xerosis and Pruritus

Abstract

A total of 334 end-stage renal disease patients with moderate-to-severe uraemic xerosis were surveyed for quality of life assessment, using the generic Short-Form (SF-12) scale and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In parallel, the intensity of xerosis at four sites (the two lower legs, chest, forearm without arterio-venous shunt) was assessed, using a five-point lesional intensity score. Pruritus was auto-assessed by the patients, using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. Uraemic xerosis patients had a marked deterioration in the Physical Component Summary of SF-12 (mean±SD: 34.92±9.98) and DLQI (5.06±4.73). Younger age (r=0.20), xerosis intensity (r=0.14), and the presence of pruritus (p<0.0001) and its intensity (r=0.50) were shown to be significant worsening factors of DLQI. Because a low, but significant, correlation between the intensity of xerosis and pruritus was also demonstrated (r=0.18), the direct contribution of age, xerosis and pruritus on DLQI was analysed in a multiple linear regression model. Age and pruritus intensity, but not xerosis intensity, were found to be independent contributors to DLQI deterioration (p<0.0005). On the other hand, uraemic xerosis without associated pruritus still resulted in DLQI alteration (3.24±3.99). It was concluded that young age and intensity of uraemic pruritus compromise quality of life in uraemic xerosis patients. Some characteristics of uraemic xerosis other than xerosis intensity may also be involved in quality of life alteration.