IRIT-A Stage 1 (Version 1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving the Reporting of ITch using Accelerometers in kidney patients (IRIT-A) - Stage 1
IRAS ID
220320
Contact name
Sabine N van der Veer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
Uraemic pruritus, or itch, is a common symptom in people with advanced chronic kidney disease, with prevalence estimates ranging from 25 to 42%. It is associated with a reduced quality of life, disturbed sleep, and an increased risk of depression and death. Kidney patients have highlighted research into itching as a top priority. Effective treatment for uraemic pruritus is available. However, for reasons that are still largely unknown, many patients do not discuss their itch with the care team, often leaving uraemic pruritus unrecognised and untreated.
Wrist-worn accelerometers have been shown to accurately detect nocturnal scratching. As nocturnal scratching is a good indication of the presence of itch in general, this may provide a more objective assessment of uraemic pruritus to complement subjective patient reports, creating a more comprehensive clinical picture of the itch. This technology could therefore improve reporting of uraemic pruritus by enabling collection of objective, patient-generated data on scratching.
The overarching aim of the Improving Reporting of Itch using Accelerometers (IRIT-A) study is to improve patient reporting of itch by introducing reports on objectively measured, nocturnal scratching activity; the study consists of two stages. During Stage 1 –which is the focus of this application– we will conduct qualitative interviews with patients and clinicians to explore reasons for underreporting of uraemic pruritus, as well as ways to improve itch reporting. In addition, we will validate an algorithm to analyse scratching data captured directly from patients using accelerometers.
Successful completion of the project will advance our understanding of why itch is underreported. In Stage 2 of the study, we will develop and evaluate a platform to support collect and process scratch data from accelerometers that people wear at home.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0067
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion