Cutaneous Biophysical Parameters in Different Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease and the Relationship with Water Content and Severity of Pruritus

Local cutaneous change is one of the factors involved in the pathophysiology of skin manifestations in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

To determine the skin’s biophysical parameters in different CKD stages and the relationship with biochemical and hematological parameter, pruritus severity, and body water content.

A cross sectional study involving stage 1 - 5 CKD patients aged ≥ 50 years was performed. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, pH and body water content were measured at eight sites.

A total of 83 patients aged 66.8 ± 8.4 years participated. There were no differences in TEWL, hydration, pH, and body water between the CKD stages and pruritus severity. Pruritus did not correlate with biophysical, haematological, and biochemical parameters. Hydration correlated with glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.25, P = 0.02, urea r = -0.28, P = 0.01) and creatinine (r = -0.25, P = s0.02). pH correlated with urea (r = 0.34, P = 0.00), creatinine (r = 0.28, v0.01), and hemoglobin (r = -0.28, P = 0.01). Total body water correlated with TEWL, r = -0.25, P = 0.02, but not hydration or pH.

There were no differences in TEWL, hydration, pH, body water, and pruritus between non-dialysis CKD stage 1 - 5. Higher urea and creatinine was associated with lower hydration and pH. Increased total body water was associated with lower TEWL. There was no relationship between pruritus with biophysical, haematological, and biochemical parameters.