Comparison of the efficacy and safety of zinc sulfate vs. placebo in the treatment of pruritus of hemodialytic patients: a pilot randomized, triple-blind study.

AIM: Improvement of uremic pruritus has been reported under short-term administration of oral zinc sulfate. Objective of the study was to confirm efficacy and safety of oral zinc sulfate in pruritus of hemodialytic patients METHODS: A pilot randomized, triple-blind study was conducted to evaluate the pruritus of hemodialytic patients. Forty eligible patients were screened and assigned to receive either zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) or matched placebo for a 4-week trial. Pruritus scale was evaluated at the initiation of the study and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the treatment. We used a modified score proposed by Duo assessing pruritus severity, distribution of pruritus, and frequency of pruritus-related sleep disturbance. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients completed the study. The mean pruritus score decreased in both groups during the first and the second weeks of trial; however, it was more prominent in zinc group than placebo one. In the zinc group, 4 (20%) patients showed pruritus discontinuation during treatment period whereas, in the placebo group, the number was only 1 (5%) patient. Nonetheless, T-test revealed no statistically significant difference between the zinc and placebo groups (P=0.88 and P=0.56, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that oral zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) during four weeks treatment might be safe and effective in discontinuation of uremic pruritus, but it was not significant. This could be because of the small number of patients; therefore, we suggest conducting more studies with larger sample size.

An unusually large squamous cell carcinoma mass arising from the lower lip.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip is a relatively common malignancy of the head and neck region. Tumor thickness, grading, and perineural invasion are significant prognostic indicators. We report an 81-year-old, otherwise healthy woman presenting with a huge friable mass originating from her lower lip. The lesion had started as a small papule 8 years before. It later became eroded and ulcerative and transformed into a slow growing, flesh-colored mass that began interfering with her speaking and eating. Radiologic studies showed no evidence of bone involvement. The lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was advised to undertake palliative treatment such as surgery or chemotherapy, but she refused any intervention.