Skin findings of dialysis patients with chronic renal failure in Afyonkarahisar and surrounding area

Abstract

Background and Design: To evaluate the prevalence of skin changes in patient with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Material and Methods: Over 18 year of age, 100 randomly selected patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into 7 groups in terms of primary disease causing chronic renal failure, and were divided into two groups according to duration of hemodialysis (<= 3 years and >3 years). The association of diagnosed skin disorders with age, gender and duration of hemodialysis, were assessed using the t-test and chi-square test. Results are presented as mean standard deviation and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Many skin diseases, at least one, were found in all patients. The most common skin changes were xerosis (98%), nail changes (93%), melanocytic nevus (78%), seborrheic keratosis (54%), pigmentation changes (51%), uremic pruritus (49%), tinea pedis (34%), actinic keratosis (23%), skin tags (16%), onychomycosis (17%), lentigo (16%), and cherry angioma (11%). The most frequently observed nail changes were longitudinal ridging, half and half nails, absence of lunula and splinter hemorrhages. Conclusion: Various skin changes are often accompanied by chronic renal failure. A detailed dermatological examination may play an important role in the diagnosis of chronic renal failure. (Turkderm 2012; 46: 181-5)