FREQUENCY OF CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS IN PATIENTS Of END STAGE RENAL DISEASE ON HAEMO-DIALYSIS

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious disease in which some type of replacement (renal transplant or dialysis) is required. End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the name given to Stage 5 CKD. Various cutaenous manifestations are associated with it which may be due to the disease itself or caused by its treatment. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of cutaneous manifestations in patients of end stage renal disease undergoing haemodialysis. Material and Methods: One hundred patients under-going maintenance haemodialyis in the Department of Nephrology, KEMU / Mayo Hospital, Lahore were examined from January to June, 2011, through specially designed proformas, to determine the presence of cutaneous manifestations in these patients. Results: There were 58 males and 42 females with a mean age of 50 ± 4 years. Overall frequency of cuta-neous manifestations was 82%. The commonest find-ings were xerosis 78% and pruritus 64%. Others were pallor 62%, hyperpigmentation 54%, nail changes 48%, infections 37%, hair changes 35% and mucosal changes 22%. Some rare manifestations seen were arteriovenous shunt dermatitis, acquired perforating disorders, calcification and nephrogenic fibrosing der-matopathy. Conclusion: Cutaneous and mucosal findings are a common problem in patients of ESRD and those undergoing long-term haemodialysis. The commonest are xerosis and pruritus followed by involvement of hair, nails and mucous membranes.