Efficacy of Low-Level Laser on Renal Pruritus in Hemodialysis Patients

Emam, Zakaria Mowafy; Abbas, Sami Ahmed; El-Thakaby, Ahmed Hassan; Abd EL-Hameed, Marwa Mahdy; Farek, Amany Ibrahim Marae

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2020.115637

Efficacy of Low-Level Laser on Renal Pruritus in Hemodialysis Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2020.115637

Abstract

Background: Renal pruritus is a distressing disease, often overlooked condition in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease that adversely affect the quality of life (QOL) and medical outcomes of patients and therapy with antihistamines has been unsuccessful. Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser on renal pruritus in hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: Thirty patients who established diagnosis of chronic renal failure with age ranged 35-60 years were selected randomly from Hemodialysis Unit of Al-Galaa military Hospital. Patients were randomized into two groups of equal number, 15 each. Group (A) received low level laser therapy 3times/week for 8 consecutive weeks and antihistamine and their conventional medical care. Group (B) who only received antihistamine and their conventional medical care. Parameters: Itching visual analogue scale (VAS) and 5-D Pruritus scale. Results: Compared to the results before and after low level laser (LLLT) treatment. Our study showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in the results of VAS and 5-D pruritus; but the results of group (A) were superior to that of group (B) when comparing the group results together. Conclusion: It can be concluded that low level laser therapy (LLLT) relieves itching pain and lowers progression of renal pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

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