Chronic pain is underestimated and undertreated in dialysis patients: A retrospective case study

Significant chronic pain is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease patients and is associated with morbidity and mortality. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the incidence and treatment of pain in the dialysis unit of our tertiary referral center. The cohort included 147 patients. Over 66% reported significant (VAS >40) chronic pain during the preceding 3 months, most often characterized as stabbing (38%) and with concurrent itching (44%). Only 33% of patients received chronic pain medications, while 55.6% of patients with severe pain and 45.9% with pain characterized as the worst imaginable did not receive any analgesics. Pregabalin or weak opioids were the most frequently used. In conclusion, chronic pain is highly prevalent and markedly undertreated in dialysis patients, despite its significant adverse impact.