Uremic Pruritus: Interleukin-31 as a Target of Therapy in End Stage Renal Disease Patients
Alnahal, A., Elmessallamy, H., Mahrous, M., Khater, M., Elmaghraby, H., Abd El-Moniem, M. (2025). Uremic Pruritus: Interleukin-31 as a Target of Therapy in End Stage Renal Disease Patients. EKB Journal Management System, (), -. doi: 10.21608/zumj.2025.384935.3952
Alsayed Alnahal; Hossam Hassan Elmessallamy; Magda Mahrous; Mohamed Hamed Khater; Hanaa M Elmaghraby; Mohammed Attia Abd El-Moniem. "Uremic Pruritus: Interleukin-31 as a Target of Therapy in End Stage Renal Disease Patients". EKB Journal Management System, , , 2025, -. doi: 10.21608/zumj.2025.384935.3952
Alnahal, A., Elmessallamy, H., Mahrous, M., Khater, M., Elmaghraby, H., Abd El-Moniem, M. (2025). 'Uremic Pruritus: Interleukin-31 as a Target of Therapy in End Stage Renal Disease Patients', EKB Journal Management System, (), pp. -. doi: 10.21608/zumj.2025.384935.3952
Alnahal, A., Elmessallamy, H., Mahrous, M., Khater, M., Elmaghraby, H., Abd El-Moniem, M. Uremic Pruritus: Interleukin-31 as a Target of Therapy in End Stage Renal Disease Patients. EKB Journal Management System, 2025; (): -. doi: 10.21608/zumj.2025.384935.3952

Uremic Pruritus: Interleukin-31 as a Target of Therapy in End Stage Renal Disease Patients

Zagazig University Medical Journal
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 25 June 2025  XML
Document Type: Review Articles
DOI: 10.21608/zumj.2025.384935.3952
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Authors
Alsayed Alnahalorcid 1; Hossam Hassan Elmessallamy email orcid 2; Magda Mahrous3; Mohamed Hamed Khaterorcid 4; Hanaa M Elmaghraby5; Mohammed Attia Abd El-Moniem6
1Internal Medicine, Zagazig University
2Internal medicine, faculty of medicine, Zagazig university, Zagazig, Egypt
3Internal medicine, faculty of medicine, zagazig university, zagazig, Egypt
4Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
5Medical Microbiology, faculty of medicine, Zagazig university, Zagazig, Egypt
6Lecturer of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig university, Egypt
Abstract
Abstract

Background: Uremic pruritus is a prevalent and distressing complication associated with End Stage Renal Disease that can adversely impact quality of life. Uremic pruritus represents one of the skin manifestations seen in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The underlying mechanisms of Uremic pruritus remain incompletely understood; however, it is believed to be driven by multiple factors, including the pruritoceptive theory, local neuropathic processes, the neurogenic theory (which involves dysregulation of the endogenous opioid system), and the immunological theory. Rising serum interleukin-31 level was found in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients experiencing Uremic pruritus when compared to those without this symptom. Furthermore, interleukin-31 has positive correlation with the intensity of Uremic Pruritus (UP). Various medications have been employed to manage Uremic Pruritus (UP). Treatments such as gabapentin and antihistamines have been effective in alleviating Uremic pruritus (UP) symptoms. Recently, difelikefalin has been introduced as a therapeutic option for Uremic pruritus (UP), demonstrating a notable decrease in the intensity of the condition.

Conclusion: The review offers a simplified overview of the pathophysiology of uremic pruritus and its main lines of treatment with their role on reducing pruritus symptoms, It also clarifies the role of interleukin-31 in uremic pruritus and its correlation with severity. The review also suggest the use of interleukin-31 as a novel therapeutic target.
Keywords
Uremic pruritus; ESRD; IL-31; Gabapentin; Difelikefalin
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