Anrikefon for itching related to chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated pruritus, known by some as kidney itch, is common in patients with advanced CKD. 1 About one in four patients with CKD who do not require dialysis are at least moderately bothered by itching, 2 but in patients receiving dialysis the symptoms are more common and severe. 3 The irresistible urge to scratch can be so intense and persistent that the skin bleeds, resulting in linear scabs and crusts, local infection, ulcers, nodules, and scars. 1 Areas affected tend to be symmetrical and often appear in different locations from week to week.Symptoms can manifest intermittently for years. 4 Affected patients can become preoccupied with itching to the exclusion of normal activities.Sitting in a chair for a four hour dialysis session can be intolerable (video 1).Patients with severe pruritus have a worse physical and mental quality of life, depression, poor sleep quality, an increased risk of mortality and hospital admission, and a higher likelihood of stopping dialysis.