Prevalence and severity of cutaneous manifestations in patients of CRF on hemodialysis in relation to duration of replacement therapy

Abstract

Objective To determine the effect of duration of HD on the prevalence and severity of different cutaneous manifestations of ESRD.   Methods 100 patients of ESRD at Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman were randomly enrolled and analyzed for multiple cutaneous manifestations over a period of eight months. The severity of these manifestations as mild, moderate, severe or very severe and their prevalence along with other particulars and time duration of HD was recorded in addition to any co-morbidities these patients had. Data was organized into tables and graphs.   Results Out of 100 patients, 82% had xerosis, 69% had pruritus, 66% had pigmentary changes, 34% had nail changes, 15% had perforating dermatosis, 10% had bullous lesions, 30% had generalized hair loss and 7% had eczematization at the site of fistula. Out of 100 patients, 46% had severe xerosis, 19% had severe pruritus, 17% had severe pigmentary changes, 31% had severe nail changes, 14% had severe perforating dermatosis, no patients with bullous lesions fell in the category of severe disorder, 12% had severe hair loss and 4% had severe eczematization. The rest had mild and moderate forms of the disease.   Conclusion Cutaneous manifestations among HD patients are common and most of them increase with an increase in the duration of HD. Coordination between a patient’s dermatologist and nephrologist can optimize their health experience.