Burden of itching in patients with kidney disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Burden of itching in patients with moderate to advanced kidney disease: A mixed-methods study.
IRAS ID
311884
Contact name
Enric Vilar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East and North Herfordshire NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 29 days
Research summary
Pruritis, commonly known as itching, is defined as an uncomfortable, irritating, and sometimes painful sensory experience that results in an intense urge to scratch. It can occur in an isolated area or all over the body, and as an acute or long-standing condition (> 6 weeks in duration). Chronic Kidney Disease- associated pruritus (CKD-ap) has been estimated to impact approximately 40% of adult patients. Despite recognition of symptom burden, CKD-ap is often under-recognised in everyday clinical encounters, though known to have a negative impact on health-related quality of life, including compromised sleep, mental well-being, and social functioning. The proposed study aims to increase knowledge on the burden, experience and impact of CKD-ap as well as to identify patient priorities for management. The research will involve a survey of itching in adult patients with CKD in England, where patients will be asked about: the association of itch with quality of life and daily life, communication of symptom burden, information and beliefs of patients about the reasons for symptoms, the experience of support, symptom management and priorities for symptom burden and itching. In addition, we will invite a purposely selected sample of parents of paediatric patients with CKD to contribute also so that our research is inclusive of patients of all ages. We hope that the outcomes will help improve clinical discussions around symptom experience as well as the way in which pruritus is managed for patient benefit.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SW/0093
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion