PHOTOTHERAPY VERSUS PREGABALIN IN TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY UREAMIC PRURITIS

NARROW BAND UVB PHOTOTHERAPY VERSUS PREGABALIN IN TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY PRURITIS IN END STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS

Patients will be randomly assigned into 2 groups:

1. Group A: (20 patients) will receive NB UVB phototherapy 3 sessions per week for 2 months.
2. Group B: (20 patients) will receive pregabalin oral therapy (50mg after each dialysis session) for 2 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age: 20-60 years.
2. End stage renal disease (the last stage(stage 5) of chronic disease which means kidneys are only functioning at 10 to 15 percent of their normal capacity and dialysis or kidney transplant is necessary to stay alive).
3. Refractory uremic pruritis.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other causes of pruritis (Dermatological or systemic) e.g. atopic, cholestatic liver disease.
2. Photosensitivity.
3. Contraindication or allergy to pregabalin.
4. Patients on antipruritic drugs e.g. antihistamines, steroids, emollients, opioid agonists.