Dermatologic Manifestations in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Hemodialysis

Between October 2009 and April 2011, a study involving 50 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis and 50 non-CKD control patients found that dermatologic issues were prevalent in 86% of the CKD group. The most frequent skin problems were xerosis (52%), pruritus (40%), and hyperpigmentation (32%), with nail changes in 56% of the patients, predominantly white nail (30%). Mucous membrane changes were noted in 22%, and hair changes, including telogen effluvium and hair fragility, were observed in 12% of the CKD patients, although this was not statistically significant when compared to the control group. The study highlighted the importance of skin examinations in patients with renal dysfunction, as dermatologic manifestations, particularly in those with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) under 15 ml/min, are significantly associated with CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis.