Omega-3 supplementation improves pruritus in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients: A crossover randomized pilot clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: Pruritus is a prevalent skin condition in end-stage renal disease patients. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce pruritus in hemodialysis patients. Our objective was to assess the effect of 3 g/day omega-3 supplementation on pruritus among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Methods: In this two-period, two-sequence crossover randomized clinical trial, 40 eligible subjects (CAPD patients who complained of pruritus for more than 8 weeks) were randomized to 3 g of omega-3 (n = 20) or identical placebo capsules (n = 20) for 4 weeks. After a wash-out period of 6 weeks, patients were crossed over to the alternate treatment option. Pruritus intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline, 2-and 4-weeks post-intervention in each study period. Both patients and investigators were blinded to the study protocol. Findings: No significant carry-over effect was detected. The mean pruritus score (VAS) in the omega-3 group compared with placebo group after the first (3.02 vs. 0.48, P < 0.001) and second (4.09 vs. 0.43, P < 0.001) intervention periods showed higher significant decrease. Conclusion: In summary, omega-3 supplementation is an effective treatment for pruritus alleviation in CAPD patients. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying antipruritic effects of omega-3.