Risk of Skin Diseases in Maintenance Hemodialysis

Maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients are potential transplant recipients. One of the most common cancers in the population of kidney recipients is skin neoplasm. Skin infections are also of a particular importance. In this population, especially in patients on the transplant waiting list, full dermatological examination, including dermatoscopy, should be carried out routinely. The research was comprised of 105 HD patients (57 men, 48 women) with a mean age of 60.8 (range 25–94) years. The patients' skin condition was assessed and a dermatoscopic examination was performed. We compared the incidence of skin diseases in the two subpopulations: HD patients (n = 89) and HD patients active on the transplant waiting list (n = 16). Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections in the group of HD patients occurred in 24.7%, 14.6%, and 6.7% of patients, respectively. In HD patients on the waiting list, bacterial skin diseases were reported in 12.5% of patients, and neither fungal nor viral infections were noticed. Malignant skin lesions and precancerous conditions, such as basal cell carcinoma and keratosis actinic, developed in 4.5% and 3.4% of the HD patients. These malignancies did not occur in HD patients on the waiting list. The results show proper qualification for transplantation in maintenance HD patients before the waiting list. In the group of dialysis patients, 67.4% required dermatological care, while in the HD waiting group only 12.5% required dermatological care. The presented results prove the necessity of performing dermatological examinations on HD patients. Some dermatological skin lesions, if not diagnosed and treated, could progress to cancer after organ transplantation. •The occurrence of skin lesions in two groups of maintenance hemodialysis patients—patients active on the transplant waiting list and patients not on the waiting list—was assessed.•The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the cutaneous disorders—especially the infectious skin diseases, skin cancers, and precancerous conditions---in patients on hemodialysis vs waiting-list patients on hemodialysis.•Maintenance hemodialysis patients are potential transplant recipients, and because of the higher risk of skin neoplasms and skin infections after transplantation, these patients need full dermatologic examinations.