Interleukin-31 Levels among Dialysis Patients and Its Relation with Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Chronic kidney disease associated-pruritus (CKD-aP) is a common cutaneous complication and an important prognostic factor in patients with chronic kidney disease. The mechanism of Pruritus in those patients is poorly understood. This study aims to assess the burden of CKD-aP among patients receiving dialysis and the role of interleukin -31 in the development of Pruritus.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 183 patients, 172 on hemodialysis and 11 on peritoneal dialysis. Each patient underwent a physical examination and was assessed for Pruritus. The 12-item pruritus severity scale determined the severity of Pruritus. Interleukin -31 levels were measured by ELISA using a special kit. All patients had other lab tests, including hemoglobin, platelets, WBCs, BUN, creatinine, albumin, ALP, total bilirubin, phosphate, calcium, ferritin, iron, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity, parathyroid hormone. Calculation of Kt/V and corrected calcium with albumin were also doneResults: The mean level of interleukin -31 was higher in patients with CKD-aP than in those without Pruritus (4936.6 ±33611.5 vs 3919.2 ±15914.4), but it wasn't statistically significant (p value>0.05). About 52.1% of diabetic patients have CKD-aP (p value=0.01). Phosphate level was significantly higher in patients with CKD-aP compared to those without (4.8 ±1.3 vs 4.4 ±1.3) (p value= 0.002), whereas Albumin level was significantly lower in patients with CKD-aP compared to those without (3.6 ±0.4 vs 3.7±0.4) (p value=0.008). Conclusion: In this study, there was no statistically significant association between interleukin -31 and CKD-aP. We recommend that further research be conducted to determine the role of inflammation in the development of Pruritus in patients with chronic renal disease.