Validation of the German Pruritus Questionnaire for the systematic assessment of chronic pruritus.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pruritus is a clinically heterogeneous symptom that manifests itself with varying duration, intensity, or quality. To date, there is no validated German-language instrument that systematically assesses the relevant parameters. With the support of the Pruritus Research Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Pruritusforschung, AGP), a questionnaire for the assessment of chronic pruritus (AGP questionnaire) was developed in 2008. The subsequently revised instrument, now called the German Pruritus Questionnaire, records pruritus-specific parameters such as localization, course, intensity and quality, anamnestic data on the general state of health, sociodemographic data, quality of life, and coping methods. It is to be validated in the study presented here. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The questionnaire was used in 366 patients with chronic pruritus of different etiologies from Germany (University Hospitals Heidelberg, Münster, Mainz, Erlangen, Giessen, private practice Bad Bentheim, TU Munich, Wiesbaden Kidney Center), Austria (Graz University Hospital) and Switzerland (Aarau Cantonal Hospital). RESULTS: The reliability for repeated completion (retest reliability) with regard to localization, first occurrence, and concomitant diseases showed high values for Cohen's kappa (> 0.8). The data on the retest reliability of the pruritus characteristics showed lower values (< 0.7). With regard to the measurability of practically relevant changes (change sensitivity), medium to strong effect sizes were found (0.09-0.19). A statistically significant differentiation of the pruritus etiologies based on the recorded parameters was not possible. CONCLUSIONS: The German Pruritus Questionnaire allows a comprehensive and structured recording of patient- and clinician-reported, relevant dimensions of chronic pruritus of different etiologies. Further adaptation and development are planned.

Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis in Germany from a Health Economic View-A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are deemed medically equivalent for therapy of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and reimbursed by the German statutory health insurance (SHI). However, although the home dialysis modality PD is associated with higher patient autonomy than HD, for unknown reasons, PD uptake is low in Germany. Hence, we compared HD with PD regarding health economic outcomes, particularly costs, as potentially relevant factors for the predominance of HD. METHODS: Claims data from two German health insurance funds were analysed in a retrospective cohort study regarding the prevalence of HD and PD in 2013-2016. Propensity score matching created comparable HD and PD groups (n = 436 each). Direct annual health care costs were compared. A sensitivity analysis included a comparison of different matching techniques and consideration of transportation costs. Additionally, hospitalisation and survival were investigated using Poisson regression and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Total direct annual average costs were higher for HD (€47,501) than for PD (€46,235), but not significantly (p = 0.557). The additional consideration of transportation costs revealed an annual cost advantage of €7000 for PD. HD and PD differed non-significantly in terms of hospitalisation and survival rates (p = 0.610/p = 0.207). CONCLUSIONS: PD has a slight non-significant cost advantage over HD, especially when considering transportation costs.

S2k guideline: Diagnosis and treatment of chronic pruritus.

Pruritus is a cross-disciplinary leading symptom of numerous diseases and represents an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In contrast to acute pruritus, chronic pruritus (CP) is a symptom of various diseases that is usually difficult to treat. Scratching and the development of scratch-associated skin lesions can alter the original skin status. In the presence of an itch-scratch-cycle, even secondary diseases such as chronic prurigo can develop. Chronic pruritus leads to considerable subjective suffering of those affected, which can result in restrictions on the health-related quality of life such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, depressiveness, experience of stigmatization and/or social withdrawal up to clinically relevant psychic comorbidities. Medical care of patients should therefore include (a) interdisciplinary diagnosis and therapy of the triggering underlying disease, (b) therapy of the secondary symptoms of pruritus (dermatological therapy, sleep promotion, in the case of an accompanying or underlying psychological or psychosomatic disease an appropriate psychological-psychotherapeutic treatment) and (c) symptomatic antipruritic therapy. The aim of this interdisciplinary guideline is to define and standardize the therapeutic procedure as well as the interdisciplinary diagnosis of CP. This is the short version of the updated S2k-guideline for chronic pruritus. The long version can be found at www.awmf.org.

Early Referral to Nephrological Care and the Uptake of Peritoneal Dialysis. An Analysis of German Claims Data.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are medically equivalent alternatives for symptomatic therapy of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). An early referral (ER) of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to a nephrological specialist is associated with a higher proportion of patients choosing PD. Germany historically shows a low PD uptake. This article is the first investigation into the impact of ER on the uptake of PD, using a large German claims database. METHODS: Claims data of 4727 incident dialysis patients in 2015 and 2016 were analyzed. Accounting codes for nephrological care and dialysis modalities were identified. Their first documentation was defined as their first encounter with a nephrologist and their first dialysis treatment (HD or PD). ER was determined as receiving nephrological care at least six months before the first dialysis. A multivariate logistic regression model with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) investigates the impact of ER, outpatient dialysis start, age, comorbidities, and sex on the chance for PD. RESULTS: Forty-three percent were referred to the nephrologist six months before their first dialysis (ER). Single tests, as well as the adjusted multivariate logistic regression, highlighted that ER significantly increases the chance for PD. In the multivariate model, the uptake of PD was associated with ER (AOR = 3.05; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 2.16-4.32), outpatient dialysis start (AOR = 0.71; p = 0.044; 95% CI = 0.51-0.99), younger age (AOR = 0.96; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.95-0.97), and fewer comorbidities (AOR = 0.85; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.44-1.58). CONCLUSIONS: ER of patients with CKD to a nephrologist increases PD uptake. It gives both nephrologists and patients enough time for patient education about different treatment options and can contribute to informed decisions about the dialysis treatment.

Information about different treatment options and shared decision making in dialysis care - a retrospective survey among hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are equivalent treatment alternatives for patients with end stage renal disease. In Germany, there is a legal obligation to inform every patient about all treatment alternatives and their possible harms and benefits. However, there is a low utilization of PD. Therefore, the question arises, whether HD patients perceive that they were informed about different dialysis options. We further investigate, if personal characteristics of informed and non-informed patients vary, and if both groups experienced the decision for their dialysis treatment as shared decision making (SDM). METHODS: The database was a nationwide postal survey of 590 HD patients from two statutory health insurers in Germany. Participants were asked whether they have been informed about both dialysis options. A logistic regression model examines impact factors on this information. We investigate differences in the German version of the 9-item SDM Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9) between informed and non-informed patients with a multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS: 56 % of the respondents reported they had been informed about different dialysis treatment options. Patients older than 65 had a 61 % lower chance than patients ≤ 65 for this information (p < 0.001). High educated patients had a 47 % higher chance for this information than patients with low education level (p = 0.030). Informed patients rated a higher SDM-Q-9 scores than non-informed patients (76.9 vs. 44.2; p < 0.001). Non-informed patients showed high values in those SDM-Q-9 items which had no regard to different treatment options. CONCLUSIONS: A great proportion of HD patients - mostly elderly patients and patients with a low education level - did not perceive that they were informed about different dialysis options before dialysis was initiated. The current obligation to provide information about all treatment alternatives in Germany is a first step to assure the unselected access to different treatment options. But it has not reached routine application in health care yet. Information about different treatment options can pave the way for SDM. While SDM is considered to be a valuable tool in clinical medicine, there is still room for improvement for its successful implementation when it comes to decision making on different dialysis treatment options. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The MAU-PD study (Multidimensional analysis of causes for the low prevalence of ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Germany) is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register. DRKS-ID: DRKS00012555 Link: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do . Date of Registration in DRKS: 2018/01/04.

The role of personal attitudes of control and responsibility for the uptake of peritoneal dialysis- a national survey among dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Although most patients are suitable for both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), there seem to be differences in the outlook of patients who choose one modality over the other. There is currently limited literature about the impact of patients' personal attitudes on the decision for PD or HD. In this study, we tried to find out whether there were differences between patients who were on HD and PD in their desire for control and responsibility for their treatment. METHODS: The data were drawn from a nationwide postal survey of 630 HD and PD patients. Patients' desire for control was measured by scores on the internal locus of control (ILOC) scale. Patients were also asked how important taking responsibility for their dialysis had been for their treatment decision (ITR). Two multivariate logistic regression models, both adjusted for age, were applied to investigate whether there were differences between HD and PD patients in ILOC and ITR. Having one generic measure (ILOC) and one tailored to the dialysis context (ITR) gave the opportunity to investigate if it is a generic personality trait or rather a specific attitude that affects choice of dialysis modality. RESULTS: PD patients were younger and showed higher ILOC and ITR values. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age confirmed the significant influence of ILOC and ITR on the uptake of PD. The odds ratios for being in the PD group were 1.53 for ILOC (p = 0.030; 95% CI 1.04-2.25), 1.49 for ITR (p = 0.019; 95% CI 1.07-2.07), and 0.95 (p = 0.000; 95% CI 0.94-0.97) for age in both models. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis shows the impact of personal attitudes on the uptake of PD. Participants who generally want to keep control of their lives and take responsibility for their dialysis treatment tended to choose PD. As PD is a home dialysis treatment that requires patients to participate and contribute, it is beneficial if patients' personalities support the treatment procedure. Having two completely different treatment options that suit to different personalities gives us the opportunity to consider the relationship between personal attitudes and choice of dialysis modality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The MAU-PD study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register. DRKS-ID: DRKS00012555 . Date of Registration in DRKS: 2018/01/04.

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty of global kidney ischemia improves renal function and blood pressure.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) can lead to hypertension and renal failure. Nevertheless, its treatment by percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) remains controversial. It is unknown, whether patients with global kidney ischemia (GKI), that means patients with bilateral RAS or RAS with a single functioning kidney, may benefit from PTRA or not. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 93 patients with RAS (25 bilateral or single functioning kidney) undergoing PTRA. Patients had refractory hypertension (≥3 medications). Blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs and serum-creatinine were compared pre-/post-intervention and at 1 year's follow-up. RESULTS: At 1 year after PTRA of patients with GKI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced compared to patients with unilateral PTRA (systolic: -19.1 ± 10.5 [bilateral] vs. -11.4 ± 12.1 mmHg [unilateral], P < 0.01; diastolic: -10.1 ± 6.8 mmHg vs. -6.3 ± 6.6 mmHg, P < 0.05). The number of antihypertensive drugs was reduced by -0.8 ± 3.0 at 1 year in patients with GKI, while it increased by +0.1 ± 3.5 in the unilateral RAS group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, post-interventional serum-creatinine decreased by -34.6 ± 31.4 µmol/I after of patients with GKI (P < 0.001 vs. baseline). In patients with unilateral PTRA, a non-significant increase in serum-creatinine was observed (+8.3 ± 2 µmol/l). CONCLUSION: PTRA in patients with GKI led to improved blood pressure and renal function. A large, well-designed, randomized clinical trial targeting this population is still needed. The benefit of PTRA should be measured with the risks in each patient individually.

Prevalence of Pruritus in a Single Cohort of Long-term Kidney Transplant Recipients.

is missing (Short communication).

Non-dermatological Challenges of Chronic Itch.

Chronic itch occurs in many skin diseases, but also in a variety of systemic, neurological, and psychogenic/psychosomatic disorders, or is caused by drug intake. When several diseases or causes co-exist, chronic itch is categorized as "mixed origin". These patients present with unaltered skin or with chronic scratch lesions including chronic prurigo. Precise diagnostics are necessary to evaluate the underlying aetiology, to enable identification of the best treatment available, and to improve patients' quality of life. This is of particular relevance in elderly people in whom chronic itch is often of systemic or mixed origin. Xerosis cutis is a frequent cofactor contributing to chronic itch of non-dermatological origin. Treatment is frequently multimodal, considering age, comorbidities, current drug intake, quality and intensity of itch. With regard to the demographic situation of the population, characterized by increasing life expectancy and polypharmacy, itch of non-dermatological origin will represent an increasing medical challenge in the future.

Multidimensional analysis of factors responsible for the low prevalence of ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Germany (MAU-PD): a cross-sectional Mixed-Methods Study Protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with end-stage kidney failure can be treated either by transplant or by dialysis, which can be administered as haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Although they are equivalent therapeutic options in terms of mortality, the percentage of patients in Germany treated with PD is currently very low (∼6%) compared with other countries. The aim of our study is to analyse the factors behind this percentage and their relevance to the choice of dialysis treatment in Germany. This includes analyses of regional disparities in the provision of care for dialysis patients as well as the evaluations of costs and the influence of reimbursement structures. This approach should provide further insights to explain the variation in the usage of PD and HD and will help to define starting points for future interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A mixed-methods approach will be applied to several data sources, including administrative data (ambulatory physicians' claim data, statutory health insurance claim data), quality assurance data from one of the largest German dialysis providers Kuratorium für Dialyse (KfH) and qualitative and quantitative survey data (patients, nephrologists and dialysis nurses). Qualitative data will be analysed content-analytically. Based on the quantitative data, multivariable analyses will be performed and, where possible, hierarchical models will be tested. This multidimensional approach will enable us to account for the different factors influencing the penetration of PD in Germany. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval (17-299) has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of the University of Cologne on 25 April 2018. National and international dissemination will be accomplished by informing healthcare practitioners, patients and professional organisations and other stakeholders via conferences, scientific and non-scientific publications and seminars. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00012555; Pre-Results.

European S2k Guideline on Chronic Pruritus.

Pruritus is a frequent symptom in medicine. Population-based studies show that every 5th person in the general population has suffered from chronic pruritus at least once in the lifetime with a 12-month incidence of 7%. In patient populations its frequency is much higher depending on the underlying cause, ranging from around 25% in haemodialysis patients to 100% in skin diseases such as urticaria and atopic dermatitis (AD). Pruritus may be the result of a dermatological or non-dermatological disease. Especially in non-diseased skin it may be caused by systemic, neurological or psychiatric diseases, as well as being a side effect of medications. In a number of cases chronic pruritus may be of multifactorial origin. Pruritus needs a precise diagnostic work-up. Management of chronic pruritus comprises treatment of the underlying disease and topical treatment modalities, including symptomatic antipruritic treatment, ultraviolet phototherapy and systemic treatment. Treating chronic pruritus needs to be targeted, multimodal and performed in a step-wise procedure requiring an interdisciplinary approach. We present the updated and consensus based (S2k) European guideline on chronic pruritus by a team of European pruritus experts from different disciplines. This version is an updated version of the guideline that was published in 2012 and updated in 2014 (www.euroderm.org).

Strong Associations Between Inflammation, Pruritus and Mental Health in Dialysis Patients.

Pruritus, impaired mental health and inflammation contribute to morbidity in end-stage renal disease. There are no studies on all 3 conditions. We therefore obtained inflammatory parameter data (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6), pruritus data and psychological test data (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, "Allgemeine Depressionsskala" and Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20) for 19 dialysis patients with pruritus, 20 dialysis patients without pruritus and 15 healthy controls. Non-parametric hierarchical clustering revealed 3 clusters of parameters: one mainly driven by pruritus scores (chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus cluster), one by mental health scores (mental health cluster) and one by inflammatory parameters (inflammatory cluster). Factor analysis showed strong associations (mental health cluster/chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus cluster, r=-0.49; mental health cluster/inflammatory cluster, r=-0.52; inflammatory cluster/chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus cluster, r=0.48). For the first time, complete correlations between inflammation, mental health and pruritus in dialysis patients have been established. As all 3 conditions are associated with mortality, knowledge about their interdependence helps to understand end-stage renal disease pathophysiology.

Mortality of Haemodialysis Patients With and Without Chronic Itch: A Follow-up Study of the German Epidemiological Hemodialysis Itch Study (GEHIS).

The GEHIS (German Epidemiological Hemodialysis Itch Study) is a representative cohort study started in 2013 with 860 haemodialysis (HD) patients in 25 German dialysis units. Chronic itch (CI) has been reported to be a poor prognostic marker for patients on HD; however, this has not been investigated in a representative patient cohort. In 2017, all HD patients were contacted again to investigate mortality in those with and without CI and to identify its determinants. Patients' characteristics, study instruments and CI were assessed, as in 2013. The response rate was 84.2% (n = 724). One-year mortality was 15.3%. Mortality was significantly higher in those with secondary scratch lesions compared with those with non-affected skin. This was also true after controlling for age and sex in a multivariate model. This study demonstrates a high mortality in HD patients; however, mortality depends on itch intensity, not on the occurrence of CI itself.

[Dermal Clues to Systemic Diseases]. / Hautveränderungen als Schlüssel zur Diagnose systemischer Erkrankungen.

Many systemic diseases go along with dermal involvement. Only a few of systemic diseases show characteristic skin derangements directly leading to the diagnosis of the underlying disease. Ten of these entities are described within this article. Some of these are autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematodes, dermatomyositis or the anti-synthetase-syndrome. Others are genetic diseases with benign or malignant neoplasias (Peutz-Jeghers-syndrome, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Birt-Hogg-Dubé-syndrome, Cowden-syndrome). Other genetically based diseases with typical skin manifestations are characterised by vascular malformations (Pseudoxanthoma elasticum and Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) or metabolic and structural organ defects (Morbus Fabry, cystic fibrosis). Being familiar with the typical skin-appearance of these diseases will allow physicians and general practitioners to make a timely diagnosis.

S2k Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pruritus - update - short version.

Associated with a host of different diseases, pruritus is a cardinal symptom that poses an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Over time, that symptom may progress independently of the initial cause, thus losing its function as a warning sign and turning into a clinically relevant disease of its own. In Germany, approximately 13.5 % of the general population are affected by chronic pruritus, with an incidence of 7 %. All forms of chronic pruritus require targeted treatment consisting of (a) diagnosis and management of the underlying disease, (b) dermatological treatment of primary or secondary (for example, dry skin, scratch lesions) symptoms, (c) symptomatic antipruritic treatment, and (d) psychological/psychotherapeutic treatment in case of an underlying or associated psychological or psychosomatic condition. Medical care of patients with chronic pruritus should therefore include an interdisciplinary approach, in particular with respect to diagnosis and therapy of the underlying disease as well as in terms of the management of treatment and adverse events. The objective of the present interdisciplinary guidelines is to define and standardize diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patients with chronic pruritus. This is a short version of the current S2 guidelines on chronic pruritus. The long version may be found at www.awmf.org.

[Rational diagnostics in pruritus]. / Rationale Diagnostik bei Pruritus.

Pruritus (itch) is the most frequent skin symptom. It can be attributed to a skin disease in many cases. Furthermore pruritus may also be a precursing symptom or principal complaint of an internal, neurological or psychiatric disease. It has been observed that elderly patients are increasingly affected. In many cases pruritus has multifactorial causes. This requires careful diagnostics, including a detailed medical history and medical examination of the patient. Previous diseases and comorbidities need to be considered as possible causes, as well as current and previous drug intake. By this important information can be obtained at an early time, which may lead to further investigation. Aim of rational diagnostics is to evaluate especially internal diseases which need to be assessed by laboratory testing and more specific diagnostics. Due to the multitude of possible causing diseases, diagnosis and therapy of chronic itch need an interdisciplinary approach.