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Depressive symptoms as predictors of future pruritus risk in hemodialysis patients

A Japanese longitudinal study with a 0.5-2.5-year follow-up phase evaluated the relationship between baseline depressive symptoms and the risk of developing severe pruritus in patients on hemodialysis. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5). Of 1,799 patients (mean age 56.9 years), 23.6% presented with depressive symptoms. During the follow-up period, 17.9% and 11.6% of patients with and without depressive symptoms, respectively, had developed severe pruritus. Patients who had no/mild pruritus at baseline had significantly higher risk of having severe pruritus at follow-up (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.57; P < 0.001). Moreover, age, presence of cancer and antihistamine use were also significantly correlated with severe pruritus. Thus depressive symptoms may predict ...