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Comparison of the efficacy and safety of zinc sulfate vs. placebo in the treatment of pruritus of hemodialytic patients: a pilot randomized, triple-blind study.
- Source :
-
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia [G Ital Dermatol Venereol] 2015 Aug; Vol. 150 (4), pp. 351-5. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 May 14. - Publication Year :
- 2015
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Abstract
- Aim: Improvement of uremic pruritus has been reported under short-term administration of oral zinc sulfate. Objective of the study was to confirm efficacy and safety of oral zinc sulfate in pruritus of hemodialytic patients<br />Methods: A pilot randomized, triple-blind study was conducted to evaluate the pruritus of hemodialytic patients. Forty eligible patients were screened and assigned to receive either zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) or matched placebo for a 4-week trial. Pruritus scale was evaluated at the initiation of the study and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the treatment. We used a modified score proposed by Duo assessing pruritus severity, distribution of pruritus, and frequency of pruritus-related sleep disturbance.<br />Results: Thirty-six patients completed the study. The mean pruritus score decreased in both groups during the first and the second weeks of trial; however, it was more prominent in zinc group than placebo one. In the zinc group, 4 (20%) patients showed pruritus discontinuation during treatment period whereas, in the placebo group, the number was only 1 (5%) patient. Nonetheless, T-test revealed no statistically significant difference between the zinc and placebo groups (P=0.88 and P=0.56, respectively).<br />Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that oral zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) during four weeks treatment might be safe and effective in discontinuation of uremic pruritus, but it was not significant. This could be because of the small number of patients; therefore, we suggest conducting more studies with larger sample size.
- Subjects :
- Administration, Oral
Adult
Aged
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Pruritus complications
Pruritus etiology
Severity of Illness Index
Sleep Wake Disorders drug therapy
Sleep Wake Disorders etiology
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Uremia etiology
Young Adult
Zinc Sulfate adverse effects
Pruritus drug therapy
Renal Dialysis adverse effects
Uremia drug therapy
Zinc Sulfate therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1827-1820
- Volume :
- 150
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24825404