End-Stage Renal Disease Chronic Itch and Its Management

End-stage renal disease chronic itch is a frequent symptom that bothers patients with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease . The pathogenesis of the chronic itch symptom is complex and not yet fully understood and includes many metabolic, immunologic, and neurogenic factors. A significant burden of the disease results in decreased quality of life with sleep impairment, depressive symptoms, and increased mortality of affected individuals. No treatment of choice is available; topical therapy (emollients), phototherapy (UV-B), and systemic therapy (antiepileptics, opioid agonists, and antagonists) provide significant relief in varying percentages of patients.