Abstract
Chronic Kidney Disease-associated Pruritus (CKD-aP) is a debilitating yet often overlooked symptom. Epidemiological studies have shown that up to 40% of patients with chronic kidney disease experience moderate-to-severe pruritus. This condition is also common among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Multiple etiological factors contribute to CKD-aP, including hormonal alterations, neuropathy, increased μ- and κ-opioid receptor activity, and chronic systemic inflammation. Patients with chronic kidney disease are known to experience essential fatty acid deficiency and may therefore benefit from omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, which may help reduce inflammation and improve fatty acid balance. This review was conducted by examining prospective clinical trials investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on CKD-aP that were published in English. A literature search was performed using keywords related to chronic kidney disease, uremic pruritus, dermatology, and omega-3 fatty acids across PubMed, Scopus, and Europe PMC databases. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in overall pruritus severity compared with placebo or vegetable oil interventions. Higher-quality and more standardized studies are required before routine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can be recommended. However, preliminary evidence suggests that omega-3 supplementation may be beneficial in reducing pruritus severity among patients with CKD-aP.