Dermatological Manifestations in Chronic Renal Failure Patients on Haemodialysis

OBJECTIVES: The study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of dermatological problems in patients undergoing haemodialysis and to document the pattern of these skin alterations. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive. METHOD: The study comprised of a total number of 300 clinically diagnosed cases of chronic renal failure belonging to either sex being managed by haemodialysis. A detailed dermatological examination of these patients was carried out. The results were recorded on a preformed performa. RESULTS: There were 169 males and 131 females with the age range of 10-80 years. Maximum duration of dialysis was 9 years and minimum 1 month. Xerosis (90.66%) was the most common finding. Pruritus was present in (64.66%). Hyperpigmentation esp. diffuse (54%), oral lesions (69.3%) including xerostomia and gingival friability, nail changes (61.6%), including pale nails, polished nails and half and half nails and hair changes (56.6%), including dry coarse hair and loss of hair from scalp, arms and legs were also present. Other findings included haemorrhagic diathesis (easy bruisibility, bleeding gums and nasal bleeding), purpuric lesions, excoriation marks, lichenification, AV Shunt complications, cutaneous infections, hypopigmentation, delayed wound healing, hyperpigmented macules on palms and soles, calcinosis cutis, gynaecomastia, solar keratosis and kyrles disease. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of cutaneous changes in patients undergoing haemodialysis. At least one cutaneous change was found in 96% of patients. Xerosis was the most common finding followed by pruritus, diffuse hyperpigmentation, xerostomia, easy bruisibility, pale nails and half and half nails.