Transformation of 5-D itch scale and numerical rating scale in chronic hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is a common and frustrating symptom in hemodialysis (HD) patients and 5-D itch scale is proposed as a reliable measurement of pruritus. However, information regarding 5-D itch scale categories is currently unavailable. We explored optimal cut-offs 5-D itching scale based on numerical rating scale (NRS) categories in HD patients. METHODS: Four hundred and nine HD patients in China Medical University Hospital in December 2014 were included and severity of pruritus was estimated using NRS and 5-D itch scale. The association of NRS and 5-D itch scale was analyzed by linear regression. The optimal cut-offs for 5-D itch scale based on NRS categories were generated. RESULTS: The average NRS was 3.4 ± 3.0 and the average 5-D itch scale was 10.9 ± 4.8. The 5-D score was strongly correlated with the NRS: r = 0.831 (p < 0.001). NRS = −2.31 + 0.52 × (5-D scale). The averages of 5-D scales were 6.4 ± 1.5, 9.6 ± 2.2, 13.1 ± 3.2, 15.7 ± 4.4, 19.5 ± 4.4 for no, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe pruritus based on categorized NRS. A 5-D itch scale categories were proposed, ≤ 8 for NRS = 0, 9–11 for mild pruritus, 12–17 for moderate pruritus, 18–21 for severe pruritus and ≥ 22 for very severe pruritus. CONCLUSIONS: Categories for the 5-D itch scale were proposed based on the measurements of pruritus severity in HD patients. This information provides a simple solution that enables transformation between the 5-D itch scale and the numerical rating scale. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12882-017-0475-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.