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Comparison of Gabapentin With Doxepin in the Management of Uremic Pruritus

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Uremic Pruritus
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT03758079
Lead Sponsor
University of Balamand
Brief Summary

This is a single blind randomized trial to compare efficacy and side effects of Gabapentin with Doxepin. Hemodialysis patients with uremic pruritus at one dialysis center of Saint George Hospital University Medical Centre were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups to receive either 10 mg Doxepin daily or Gabapentin at a dose of 100mg after each hemodialysis session (increased as tolerated) for 4 weeks, after which patients were treated reversley. Pruritus severity and its effect on quality of life will be assessed by using visual analog scale (VAS), 5-D pruritus scale and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Include patients will have to fill these forms at baseline and at end of week1, week2 and week4

Detailed Description

Pruritus is one of the frustrating skin manifestations of advanced renal failure. Many options have been used for the management of uremic pruritus (UP) such as Pregabalin, Gabapentin, Doxepine and Desloratidine. Gabapentin, a GABAergic drug, has been found to be effective in the treatment of uremic pruritus. Doxepin, a potent antihistamine drug, is used orally or topically in many pruritic conditions such as UP, idiopathic pruritus, atopic dermatitis, neurogenic, or psychogenic pruritus and, in the management of the UP in hemodialysis patients.

No comparative head to head study between Gabapentin and Doxepine has been conducted to date. The aim of this study was to compare Gabapentin and Doxepin in treatment of uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
14
Inclusion Criteria
  • prevalent patients undergoing HD with UP for at least three months
  • any medications with antipruritic effects to be discontinued one week before the study
  • Hemodialysis performed for 3-4 h thrice weekly via a low flux polysulphonedialyser [1.3-1.6 m2 surface areas] using bicarbonate and/or acetate dialysis fluid
  • well controlled Calcium, Phosphorus and iPTH levels
Exclusion Criteria
  • patients labeled high risk of fall (Having a score more than 16/20 using part 1 from Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT)
  • patients taking drugs that interact with doxepin or gabapentin
  • patients with hepatic failure
  • patients with hyperthyroidism
  • patients with narrow angle glaucoma
  • patients with heart block or decompensated heart failure or hypotension (defined as systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg) or myocardial infarction in the past three months
  • history of allergy to gabapentin or doxepin
  • uncontrolled psychiatric diseases
  • pregnant patients
  • patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or any other condition that can justify the pruritus

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
DoxepinDoxepin10 mg Doxepin daily for 4 weeks
GabapentinGabapentinGabapentin 100mg after each dialysis session
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in 5-D Itch Scale score at week 41, 2, 4 weeks

multidimensional questionnaire. The five dimensions are degree, duration, direction, disability and distribution. The scores of each of the five domains will be achieved separately and then summed together to obtain a total 5-D score ranging between five (no pruritus) and 25 (most severe pruritus). For the distribution domain, the number of affected body parts is tallied (potential sum 0-16) and the sum is sorted into five scoring bins: sum of 0-21⁄4score of 1, sum of 3-51⁄4score of 2, sum of 6-101⁄4score of 3, sum of 11-131⁄4score of 4 and sum of 14-161⁄4score of 5

Change from baseline in Worst-itching Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at week 41, 2, 4 weeks

a 10cm horizontal line marked from zero (no pruritus) to 10 (worst possible pruritus). The pruritus will be assessed subjectively and scored as follows: no pruritus (VAS score 0), mild (VAS score 1-3) with episodic and localized pruritus without disturbance in usual work and sleep, moderate (VAS score 4-7) with generalized and continuous pruritus without sleep disturbance and severe (VAS score 8-10) with generalized, continuous pruritus and sleep disturbance.

Change from baseline in Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) at week 41, 2, 4 weeks

10-Item questionnaire evaluating: impact of skin condition on HRQoL during the past week, symptoms and feeling, daily activities, leisure, work and school, personal relationships, treatment. A Score range from 0 to 30.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
side effects of each treatment4 weeks

Number of patients who report side effects while on each treatment

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Saint George Hospital University Medical Center

🇱🇧

Beirut, Lebanon

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