Plasma porphyrins among end stage renal disease patients and cutaneous symptoms- is there still an association?

INTRODUCTION

Several abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism leading to Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) have been described in early studies of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients, with a reported prevalence of 5-18%. We aimed to evaluate porphyrin levels and correlation to skin manifestations in modern dialysis era.

METHODS

The study cohort included adult hemodialysis patients from a single center tertiary medical center. All patients underwent a full skin examination, completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index questioner, and provided a blood sample for porphyrin levels assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 94 adult hemodialysis patients were recruited to the study. No clinical PCT was diagnosed. Porphyrin levels did not correlate with any clinical or dialysis quality parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

In modern hemodialysis era, possibly due to improved porphyrins' metabolism and dialysis removal, PCT is much less prevalent among hemodialysis patients than previously reported in the past.