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Pharmacological Treatment for Dialysis-Related Muscle Cramps: A Systematic Review.

  • 2024-08-18
  • Seminars in dialysis 37(6)
    • Nidia Mantilla-Manosalva
    • Santiago Guadarrama
    • Lennis Jazmin Bedoya-Muñoz
    • Sara Giraldo-Moreno
    • Laura Cuellar-Valencia
    • María Fernanda Iriarte-Aristizábal
    • Marta Ximena León
    • Fernan Alejandro Mendoza-Montenegro
    • Juan Esteban Correa-Morales

Study Design

Type
Systematic Review
Sample size
n = 4,660
Methods
A systematic review was conducted in OVID, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and Central Cochrane databases up to August 25, 2023. Experimental studies reporting on a pharmacological intervention for the treatment of dialysis-related muscle cramps were included. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, and the studies quality was assessed with the RoB2 tool.

Background

Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis suffer from muscle cramps, a prevalent and burdensome symptom for which there is a paucity of efficient and safe treatments.

Aim

What is the efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of dialysis-related muscle cramps?

Design

A systematic review was conducted in OVID, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and Central Cochrane databases up to August 25, 2023.

Data sources

Experimental studies reporting on a pharmacological intervention for the treatment of dialysis-related muscle cramps were included. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, and the studies quality was assessed with the RoB2 tool.

Results

A total of 4660 studies were retrieved, and 13 articles were included. The studies reported on nine interventions: vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K2, vitamin B7, dextrose solutions, gabapentin, sodium chloride, creatine monohydrate, and L-carnitine. The studies testing L-carnitine and creatine monohydrate were the only ones deemed to have a low risk of bias. Side effects were reported in only two trials, consisting primarily of gastrointestinal discomfort and hyperglycemia. Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps. L-carnitine is a promising intervention that warrants further investigation.

Conclusion

Our review consolidates the existing evidence, elucidating the range of treatments along with their potential benefits and limitations. Future studies should uphold high-quality standards, incorporate patient-reported outcomes, and utilize well-defined, robust samples to improve patient care.

Research Insights

  • L-Carnitine→Reduced Muscle Cramp Frequency

    Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Vitamin C→Reduced Muscle Cramp Duration

    Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Vitamin C→Reduced Muscle Cramp Frequency

    Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Vitamin C→Reduced Severity of Muscle Cramps

    Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Vitamin E→Reduced Muscle Cramp Duration

    Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Vitamin E→Reduced Muscle Cramp Frequency

    Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Vitamin E→Reduced Severity of Muscle Cramps

    Vitamins C and E are the two most studied interventions that showed positive results in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of dialysis-related muscle cramps.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
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