Uremic pruritus (UP) is chronic itching that frequently occurs in dialysis patients. Acupuncture is a non-medication therapy used to treat pruritus disorders. This pruritus acupuncture research survey demonstrates acupuncture’s efficacy and safety for treating UP. At Raleigh Acupuncture, we successfully treat all types of itching pain, demonstrating that when it comes to pruritus, what works for kidney disease patients works for all.
Pruritus Studies
Investigators searched nine Chinese and English databases through 2021, retrieving 214 pruritus acupuncture research studies. Then, they narrowed the list to seven randomized controlled trials to include in the meta-analysis. Results had effective rates, recurrence rates, and adverse events.
Compared with conventional treatment, acupuncture was more effective in treating UP. The results were consistent after sensitivity analysis. In subgroup analysis, the efficacy rates of acupuncture and medications (oral and topical) were comparable. Acupuncture combined with hemodialysis was more effective than hemodialysis alone in relieving pruritus.
What is Uremic Pruritus?
Uremic pruritus (UP) is an uncomfortable, persistent itching experienced by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). UP occurs almost daily during dialysis and can affect the back, face, arms, and whole body. Unfortunately, there is currently no recognized treatment to improve this condition, thus prompting UP research in patients with kidney disease.
A 2018 meta-analysis of 42 studies evaluating 11,800 dialysis patients in 16 countries found a 55% prevalence of UP. Interestingly, the incidence of UP was the highest in Asia, including in China, Japan, and Pakistan, and lowest in Germany. Doctors speculate that dry skin from sweating may trigger UP, leading to reduced skin hydration.
Other Pruritus Triggers
Other known triggers for pruritus include calcium/phosphate deficiency, hyperthyroidism, excess histamine, neuropathy, vitamin excess or deficiency, anemia, hepatitis C infection, and intestinal microflora disorder. Furthermore, researchers hypothesize that the immune and opioid systems play a role in UP symptoms. The immune hypothesis emphasizes the part of the chronic inflammatory state in CKD, which, together with an altered ratio of pro-inflammatory Th1-helper cell to anti-inflammatory Th2-helper cell, stimulates tiny unmyelinated C nerve fibers responsible for sensing pruritus.
In contrast, the opioid hypothesis emphasizes the role of increased opioid receptor activity, leading to pruritogenic nerve signaling. Standard treatment includes antihistamines, steroids, and creams, but these do not satisfactorily relieve pruritus symptoms. Other practical and safe treatment modalities are needed.
Acupuncture and Pruritus
Acupuncture treats many symptoms associated with CKD, including renal colic, sleep disturbances, impaired quality of life, UP, and acute or chronic pain related to polycystic kidney disease. Specifically, acupuncture involves the insertion of sterile, single-use needles into acupuncture points to regulate qi and blood flow in the meridians throughout the body to achieve a balance of yin and yang.
Research indicates that acupuncture can regulate humoral and cellular immunity, enhance the phagocytic ability of macrophages and B cells, and reduce vascular permeability, thereby relieving pruritus. In the last four years, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported the clinical benefits of acupuncture in treating UP. This pruritus acupuncture research study updated and consolidated evidence provided high-quality data, and evaluated acupuncture’s overall efficacy and safety for treating UP.
Eligible Pruritus Studies
Studies that met the following criteria were eligible for inclusion:
- Test subjects were individuals with confirmed UP
- Language was limited to English or Chinese
- The study design was RCT
- Acupuncture was the primary treatment, alone or in combination with other methods.
Investigators searched nine databases for all relevant RCTs of acupuncture for pruritus in uremia published through December 31, 2021. The databases included PubMed, Embase, Springer, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Wan-fang.
Pruritus Study Characteristics
The researchers identified 214 studies that met their criteria. After screening by two independent reviewers, they narrowed the list to seven RCTs with 504 subjects. The seven pruritus acupuncture research studies included in this analysis appeared in Chinese and English between 2002 and 2020.
Research Study Results
UP is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms in patients with end-stage renal disease. Most patients with UP have prolonged and recurrent episodes, significantly impairing their quality of life. The current meta-analysis concludes that acupuncture is more effective than conventional therapy for UP and has a high safety profile.
Conclusion
The researchers in this cross-sectional pruritus acupuncture research study concluded, “Acupuncture is a safe treatment modality for patients with UP receiving hemodialysis that can effectively improve UP symptoms, and acupuncture in combination with hemodialysis has more efficacy than hemodialysis alone in improving the UP symptoms.”
Acupuncture Treats All Types of Itching
This pruritus acupuncture research study demonstrates acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating itching associated with kidney disease. However, our experience at Raleigh Acupuncture during the past twenty years shows acupuncture’s benefits in reducing persistent itching.
One reason for acupuncture’s success is that this ancient technique calms the nervous system throughout the entire body. That’s why we can help with itching and other nerve-related pain conditions like restless leg syndrome, post-herpetic neuralgia, and peripheral neuropathy.
Next Steps
Try acupuncture if you or a loved one struggle with chronic, persistent itching pain. Treatments are safe, with no adverse effects. And results are long-lasting.
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Reference
Acupuncture for Uremic Pruritus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Leixiao Zhang Ph.D. 1, Yiwei Li MD 2, Xianjun Xiao Ph.D. 3, Yunzhou Shi Ph.D. 3, Dongxian Xu MD 2, Ning Li MD 1, Yanli Deng MD 2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.08.017
Focus keyphrase: pruritus acupuncture research
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What our Clients are Saying
For the past three years I have suffered from whole body itching. I had every type of test imaginable, but doctors found nothing wrong. They put me on antidepressants, but that did not help. I found raleigh acupuncture on the web. I can not describe exactly what they did, but I can tell you that it helped. My itching is so much better. I am very grateful for their work. I feel it’s saved my life.
When I get stressed my arms start to itch. It gets so bad that I can bleed from the scratching. It’s embarrassing and very painful. My cousin told me about acupuncture and I went to Raleigh Acupuncture. They totally helped my itching problem. I can’t believe it. They said in order to help the itching they also had to make me less stressed. Well, they were right. Now I feel less stressed. But even when I do get stressed, my arms don’t itch. This treatment is fantastic. I told my whole family about it. Now they go there for their problems too. Thank you!!
I developed eczema as a child and have managed the condition for years with steroid creams. Recently my stress level went up from a work situation, and the itching became intolerable. The creams didn’t help and I was desperate. Research online led me to Raleigh Acupuncture. They treated the itching by reducing my eczema. It worked better than the cream ever did. I wish I had done this 15 years ago, as my skin and itching is 90% better.