Risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in patients with chronic kidney disease and its relationship to uraemic pruritus

This study investigated the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and explored associated risk factors. A population-based cohort of 1,515,858 Taiwanese CKD patients was included. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for incident NMSC was determined. Compared with the general population, a 1.14- fold risk of NMSC was found in the CKD cohort. NMSC risk was significant in patients with pre-dialysis stage 5 CKD and anaemia (1.48-fold), and in those with uraemic pruritus after long-term antihistamine treatment (1.38-fold). A higher SIR for NMSC was found in younger patients with CKD (age < 70 years, 1.34-fold; age 20–39 years, 1.63-fold), stage 5 CKD with anaemia (age < 70 years, 2.09-fold), and uraemic pruritus (age <70 years, 2.22-fold). Pre-dialysis patients with CKD are at higher risk of NMSC, especially those with advanced-stage CKD, and those with uraemic pruritus.