A Randomized Comparative,Open-label Study Of Jiaweiyangxuerunfu Granules For The Treatment Of Uremic Pruritus In Subjects Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis

Objective:Pruritus is common among patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis,and the pathogenesis can be explained by several mechanisms.However,there is no definite evidence supporting them,which limits the relative efficacy of any individual treatment option.In this paper,we aimed to compare Jiaweiyangxuerunfu granules with Loratadine Tablets in treatment of uraemic pruritus(UP)which is belongs to blood deficiency and wind dryness pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:In this 8-week prospective,randomized,and open-lable trial,we assessed the efficacy in UP patients undergoing hemodialysis.Patients were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of 142g twice-weekly Jiaweiyangxuerunfu granules or 10 mg/day Loratadine.Visits were scheduled at 0,2,4,6,and 8 weeks after treatment.The severity of pruritus was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale and modified Duo's VAG Scale.Quality of sleep was evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index.The effect of UP on health-related quality of life was assessed using the Chinese version of the 36-item short-form(SF-36)general health survey.Baseline laboratory data and demographic characteristics were recorded from patient charts.Results:Finally,65(41 males,29 females,aged 58 years old)out of the 70 patients completed the 8-week study.Over the 8 weeks,Jiaweiyangxuerunfu granules improved UP significantly.The severity of pruritus was reduced significantly in the Jiaweiyangxuerunfu granules group compared with the Loratadine Tablets groups.The final SF-36 scores were also better than Loratadine Tablets group,and there was significant difference between the two groups in curative effect(P<0.05).Conclusions:Jiaweiyangxuerunfu granules is an effective alternative for treatment of uraemic pruritus.A larger sample size may be needed to demonstrate the effect of Jiaweiyangxuerunfu granules in treatment of uraemic pruritus which is belongs to blood deficiency and wind dryness pattern in TCM in maintenance hemodialysis patients.