Abstract: Objective To observe the clinical effect of parathyroidectomy on pruritus in uremic patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Methods Thirty uremic patients with SHPT and pruritus were recruited in this study. Their serum calcium, phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus product (Ca×P), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) were measured, and their pruritus scores were recorded before and after parathyroidectomy for one month. Results Serum iPTH, calcium, phosphorus and Ca×P decreased after parathyroidectomy for one month, as compared with those before the treatment (tiPTH = - 9.790, P = 0.000; t Ca = -6.285, P = 0.000; t p = -10.501, P = 0.000; t Ca×p = -11.140, P = 0.000), but serum β 2-MG did not change significantly (P ＞0.05).  Pruritus improved in 29 of 30 cases (96.7%) with the decrease of average pruritus score from 27.2±12.0 to 5.2±8.4 (t =-9.584, P=0.000) after parathyroidectomy for one month. Conclusion Parathyroidectomy is effective on prurutis in uremic patients with SHPT.

Key words: Uremic pruritus, Secondary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy