Üremik Kaşıntıda Kanıt Temelli Aromaterapi Uygulamalarının Etkinliği/ The Effectiveness of Evidence-Based Aromatherapy Interventions in Uremic Pruritus

Uremic pruritus is a common symptom observed in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis treatment, impairing their quality of life. Due to the kidneys' inability to perform their functions, nitrogenous waste products accumulate in the body, leading to skin itching. The discomfort caused by itching, along with associated symptoms such as sleep disturbances, contributes to a deterioration in the overall quality of life. Although pharmacological treatments for uremic pruritus are available, their adverse pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects in patients with kidney disease make non-pharmacological approaches the preferred option for managing symptoms such as itching. Among Complementary and Integrative therapy methods, aromatherapy stands out as one of the most commonly used approaches due to its accessibility and ease of use. This article aims to discuss evidence-based aromatherapy practices for managing uremic pruritus and to discuss the findings of relevant studies. A literature review was conducted using the keywords “uremic pruritus,” “aromatherapy,” and “hemodialysis symptoms” in the MEDLINE, PUBMED, and DergiPark databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 full-text studies were included in the review. The findings of the reviewed studies demonstrate that aromatherapy has a positive effect on uremic pruritus in patients undergoing dialysis.