AVALIAÇÃO DO PRURIDO E DA SENSAÇÃO DE RESSECAMENTO DA PELE EM PACIENTES COM DOENÇA RENAL CRÔNICA EM HEMODIÁLISE NA PARAÍBA

Abstract

Pruritus is one of the most bothersome symptoms for patients undergoing hemodialysis. It has a significant impact on their quality of life and is highly prevalent. The pathophysiology is unknown, and the condition is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and characterize the sensation of itching and skin dryness, as well as the care provided to patients undergoing hemodialysis. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted through structured interviews from January to December 2022. It was interviewed individuals over 18 years old diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, undergoing hemodialysis for more than 3 months in João Pessoa, Paraíba. Results: A total of 158 individuals with a mean age of 51.9 ± 13.7 years and a mean dialysis time of 3.2 ± 2.9 years were interviewed. During the last month, 38% of the patients reported dry skin, of which 63.6% felt themselves very or extremely bothered by the condition. 61.5% did not seek medical assistance. Regarding itching, 34% reported this symptom, with 61.2% experiencing maximum possible discomfort. However, 36.9% did not seek medical assistance. Among those who searched for help, 56.5% consulted a nephrologist, while 19.4% reported not receiving any assistance. Itching did not show a statistically significant correlation with any analyzed variable. There was a significant correlation between dry skin and anxiety (p=0.030), irritation (p=0.008), and heart failure (p=0.015). Conclusion: Xerosis and pruritus are common in patients undergoing hemodialysis; however, they are often underdiagnosed, undertreated, and sometimes neglected.