vitamin-d-2 and Pruritus

Hemodialysis (HD) patients have a high prevalence of pruritus. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D deficiency is common in this population and may play a role in its etiology. Because of this, we studied whether vitamin D2 treatment with ergocalciferol is effective for relief of uremic pruritus severity as measured by pruritus severity surveys.. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, the effect of 12 weeks of ergocalciferol administration on uremic pruritus severity was evaluated.. Fifty HD patients randomly received either ergocalciferol 50,000 international units (IU) or placebo once weekly for 12 weeks.. Pruritus severity surveys were completed every 2 weeks by all patients starting from baseline until 12 weeks and serve as the main outcome variable.. Twenty-five study participants were randomized to ergocalciferol therapy and 25 were randomized to placebo. At baseline, the only significant difference between the two groups was time on dialysis and white blood cell count. Both groups experienced a decrease in pruritus scores from the beginning to the end of study (percent change -38.9% in the treatment group vs. -47.5% in the placebo group). By intention to treat, the treatment × time effect was not statistically significant (F = 0.71, df = (1, 282), P = .34), indicating that the pruritus score was not significantly lower in the treatment group than the placebo group throughout the study.. In conclusion, we did not find ergocalciferol to be effective for the treatment of uremic pruritus.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Double-Blind Method; Ergocalciferols; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Dropouts; Pruritus; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Dialysis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome

Pruritus is a common problem among hemodialyzed patients. Its causes are poorly understood, and, as a result, itching is often attributed to elevated serum phosphorus and other disorders of bone and minerals. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between pruritus and common tests of bone and mineral disease.. This study was a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of 3 months of ergocalciferol versus placebo treatment in 50 hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus. A pruritus survey was administered at baseline and then every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Concurrent serum phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, and calcium-phosphate product were measured.. Pruritus score was not found to be associated or correlated with serum phosphate, intact PTH, serum calcium, or calcium-phosphate product at each time interval or over time. Likewise, when analyzed by original study group (placebo or ergocalciferol), no association or correlation between the mineral and bone indicators and itching were found.. Neither serum phosphate nor other tests of bone and mineral status were found to be significant predictors of pruritus at any point in time or over time.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Calcium; Double-Blind Method; Ergocalciferols; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parathyroid Hormone; Phosphates; Phosphorus; Placebos; Pruritus; Renal Dialysis; Uremia

In 20 volunteers with normal skin, itching and concomitant erythemas and wheals were produced by mechanical stimulation with a magnetic oscillation system. In a placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind study with twice cross-over, a calcium-vitamin-D-combination as single dose ampoules for peroral application was tested. A significant decrease (p less than 0,001) of the areas of erythema and wheal and itching in treated persons, compared with non-treated and placebo-treated volunteers serving for controls, is showing the antiallergic effectiveness of the tested preparation.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Ergocalciferols; Erythema; Female; Gluconates; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Stimulation; Pruritus; Urticaria

There are many types of sun-beds, sun-benches and sun-panels containing fluorescent tubes which, because of their predominantly UV-A emission, are advertised to the public as a means of obtaining a tan without sunburn. This study reports the effects of a sun-bed on skin colour, on the protection afforded against sunburn, and on vitamin D formation. Side-effects are also recorded. It was shown that the sun-bed emits mainly UV-A but very little UV-B and some tanning occurred in most subjects. However, no correlation was observed between the subjects' stated ability to tan and the degree of pigmentation achieved at the end of the treatment. Most subjects also had itching and erythema, and three had polymorphic light eruption. Although very little UV-B irradiation was present, a significant increase in serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D occurred, and possible explanations of this surprising finding are discussed. While the sun-bed proved popular with the subjects, only a modest tan was achieved and the incidence of side-effects appeared to limit the value of this type of appliance, especially with regard to the prevention of vitamin D deficiency.

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Adult; Beds; Ergocalciferols; Erythema; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pruritus; Skin Pigmentation; Sunburn; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin D