Skin Lesions Accompanying Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of common skin diseases in chronic kidney patients under medical treatment, and to determine their relations with chronic kidney disease staging.

MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 155 chronic kidney patients over 18 years of age who underwent conservative treatment without dialysis treatment were examined for skin lesions. All patients underwent detailed laboratory tests, and dermatological examination (including skin, hair, nails and oral mucosa) was performed by a dermatologist.

RESULTS: A total of 150 patients (96.7%) had at least one skin problem and the most prevalent finding was xerosis (63.9%). Other frequent skin disorders were subungual hyperkeratosis in the toenails at the rate of 49% (76 patients), diffuse alopecia at a rate of 25% (38 patients), and reduction in body hair at the rate of 23.2% (36 patients).

CONCLUSION: Although skin disorders accompanying chronic kidney disease have a benign course, they can decrease the quality of life in the patients. Skin disorders like xerosis, itching, hyperpigmentation and loss of body hair and nail and oral mucosa lesions can be seen even in stage 1. Therefore, clinicians should keep in mind that skin problems can be a sign of an underlying renal disease.