Difelikefalin improves itch-related sleep disruption in patients undergoing haemodialysis

Abstract

Background. Poor sleep quality is associated with higher mortality and lower quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP). Difelikefalin reduces itch in patients with CKD-aP undergoing haemodialysis (HD). This post hoc analysis of the Phase 3 difelikefalin studies (Study 3105 and the pooled dataset from KALM-1 and KALM-2) evaluated whether itch reduction in individuals with CKD-aP improved sleep quality. Methods. Itch intensity was assessed in patients undergoing HD who had moderate-to-severe CKD-aP treated with intravenous difelikefalin (0.5 μg/kg, three times weekly) (N = 222, Study 3105; N = 426, KALM-1 and -2) or placebo (N = 425, KALM-1 and -2) for 12 weeks, using the Worst Itch Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS). Sleep quality was assessed using the sleep disability question of the 5-D Itch Scale (5-D SDQ) in all studies and, in Study 3105, with the Sleep Quality Numeric Rating Scale (SQ-NRS). Results. Greater improvements in sleep quality were observed in patients with ≥3-point versus <3-point WI-NRS improvement using SQ-NRS in Study 3105 [mean (95% confidence interval) −5.2 (–5.6, −4.8) vs −1.5 (–2.0, −1.0)] and 5-D SDQ in KALM-1 and -2 [–1.8 (–2.1, −1.6) vs −0.8 (–1.1, −0.4)]. SQ-NRS and WI-NRS scores were highly correlated at both baseline and Week 12 in Study 3105 (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.77 and 0.84, respectively). Correlations were also observed between 5-D SDQ and WI-NRS scores in Study 3105 and KALM-1 and -2. Conclusions. In patients undergoing HD with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP, itch reduction with intravenous difelikefalin was associated with improved sleep quality. As disturbed sleep may contribute to mortality and morbidity in CKD-aP, difelikefalin may help to address a major clinical burden by improving sleep quality, secondary to itch relief.