Summary

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• Korsuva (difelikefalin) is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-aP) in adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
• This summary is based on the review of two systematic review(s)/meta-analysis(es). ^[1-2]
• Difelikefalin significantly improved the Worst Itching Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS) with a risk ratio (RR) of 1.28 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.53) in adult hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP).
• Difelikefalin decreased the 5-D Itch Scale score with a standardized mean difference of -0.43 (95% CI: -0.55 to -0.30), indicating a reduction in pruritus severity and improvement in quality of life.
• The effectiveness of difelikefalin in enhancing quality of life was also observed through positive outcomes on the Skindex score in the same patient population.
• The meta-analysis reported a significant increase in adverse events associated with difelikefalin use, with a risk ratio (RR) of 1.33 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.13 to 1.56. The most commonly reported side effects were mild, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and diarrhea.
• The majority of adverse events reported were mild, with no severe safety concerns noted.
• The reviewed studies focused exclusively on adult hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP), with no significant differences in effectiveness or safety noted among different population types or subgroups.