Comparison of the efficacy and safety of zinc sulfate vs. placebo in the treatment of pruritus of hemodialytic patients: a pilot randomized, triple-blind study.

AIM: Improvement of uremic pruritus has been reported under short-term administration of oral zinc sulfate. Objective of the study was to confirm efficacy and safety of oral zinc sulfate in pruritus of hemodialytic patients METHODS: A pilot randomized, triple-blind study was conducted to evaluate the pruritus of hemodialytic patients. Forty eligible patients were screened and assigned to receive either zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) or matched placebo for a 4-week trial. Pruritus scale was evaluated at the initiation of the study and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the treatment. We used a modified score proposed by Duo assessing pruritus severity, distribution of pruritus, and frequency of pruritus-related sleep disturbance. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients completed the study. The mean pruritus score decreased in both groups during the first and the second weeks of trial; however, it was more prominent in zinc group than placebo one. In the zinc group, 4 (20%) patients showed pruritus discontinuation during treatment period whereas, in the placebo group, the number was only 1 (5%) patient. Nonetheless, T-test revealed no statistically significant difference between the zinc and placebo groups (P=0.88 and P=0.56, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that oral zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) during four weeks treatment might be safe and effective in discontinuation of uremic pruritus, but it was not significant. This could be because of the small number of patients; therefore, we suggest conducting more studies with larger sample size.

Reasons for Renal Donation among Living Unrelated Renal Donors in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The shortage of living-related and cadaveric donors lead to living-unrelated kidney transplant in Iran. OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study to determine the motivations for unrelated-living kidney donation in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. METHODS: After obtaining an informed written consent, unrelated-living kidney donors were interviewed by the authors by means of a standardized questionnaire to assess their socioeconomic status and motivations for donation. RESULTS: 210 living kidney donors consisting of 167 men (79.5%) and 43 women (20.5%) with a mean±SD age of 28.4±5.6 years were studied. 117 (55.7%) donors were married. 6 (2.9%) of donors were university graduates; 39 (18.6%) high school graduates; 141 (67.1%) less than high school graduates; and 20 (9.5%) were illiterate. The motives for donation was mentioned mostly financial by 127 (60.5%) donors, mostly based on religious beliefs and altruism by 39 (18.6%), and a combination of financial, religious beliefs and altruism by 35 (16.7%) donors. CONCLUSION: Financial problems are the main motivation for living-unrelated kidney donation in Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran.