Difelikefalin improves itch-related sleep disruption in patients undergoing haemodialysis

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2024 Jun 28;39(7):1125-1137. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfad245.

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.

Trial registration: KALM-1 (NCT03422653), KALM-2 (NCT03636269), Study 3105 (NCT03998163).

Keywords: chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus; difelikefalin; haemodialysis; itch; sleep.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Piperidines
  • Prognosis
  • Pruritus* / drug therapy
  • Pruritus* / etiology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Renal Dialysis* / adverse effects
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / complications
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / therapy
  • Sleep Quality
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / drug therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology

Substances

  • difelikefalin
  • Piperidines

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03998163
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03422653
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03636269