Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Epidemiology of Chronic Pruritus: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?

  • Epidemiology (JI Silverberg, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Dermatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Between 23 and 44 million Americans are estimated to suffer from chronic pruritus in the setting of both cutaneous and systemic conditions. Patients with chronic pruritus suffer extreme detriment to their ability to function, including but not limited to deranged sleep patterns, mood disturbances, increased levels of anxiety and depression, and reduced levels of overall quality of life. Indeed, chronic pruritus is now known to be as debilitating as chronic pain. For these reasons, chronic pruritus represents a serious public health concern that must be adequately addressed by clinicians. We present an up-to-date summary of the epidemiology of chronic itch in different cutaneous and systemic conditions. While we have endeavored to discuss some of the most common causes of chronic pruritus, this review does not encompass all of the myriad different diseases in which chronic pruritus can occur.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Ikoma A, Steinhoff M, Stander S, Yosipovitch G, Schmelz M. The neurobiology of itch. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2006;7:535–47.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Shive M, Linos E, Berger T, Wehner M, Chren MM. Itch as a patient-reported symptom in ambulatory care visits in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69:550–6. This is one of the first studies to describe the impact of itch-related ambulatory care visits in the USA and the great need for continued research on the epidemiology, treatments, and potential causes of chronic itch.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Matterne U, Apfelbacher CJ, Loerbroks A, Schwarzer T, Buttner M, Ofenloch R, et al. Prevalence, correlates and characteristics of chronic pruritus: a population-based cross-sectional study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011;91:674–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Stander S, Schafer I, Phan NQ, Blome C, Herberger K, Heigel H, et al. Prevalence of chronic pruritus in Germany: results of a cross-sectional study in a sample working population of 11,730. Dermatology. 2010;221:229–35.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Wolkenstein P, Grob JJ, Bastuji-Garin S, Ruszczynski S, Roujeau JC, Revuz J, et al. French people and skin diseases: results of a survey using a representative sample. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139:1614–9. discussion 1619.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Stander S, Weisshaar E, Mettang T, Szepietowski JC, Carstens E, Ikoma A, et al. Clinical classification of itch: a position paper of the International Forum for the Study of Itch. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007;87:291–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Yosipovitch G, Goon AT, Wee J, Chan YH, Zucker I, Goh CL. Itch characteristics in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis using a new questionnaire for the assessment of pruritus. Int J Dermatol. 2002;41:212–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dawn A, Papoiu AD, Chan YH, Rapp SR, Rassette N, Yosipovitch G. Itch characteristics in atopic dermatitis: results of a web-based questionnaire. Br J Dermatol. 2009;160:642–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. O’Neill JL, Chan YH, Rapp SR, Yosipovitch G. Differences in itch characteristics between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients: results of a web-based questionnaire. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011;91:537–40.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Dalgard F, Svensson A, Holm JO, Sundby J. Self-reported skin morbidity among adults: associations with quality of life and general health in a Norwegian survey. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004;9:120–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Dalgard F, Dawn AG, Yosipovitch G. Are itch and chronic pain associated in adults? Results of a large population survey in Norway. Dermatology. 2007;214:305–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Weisshaar E, Dalgard F. Epidemiology of itch: adding to the burden of skin morbidity. Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:339–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Metz M, Stander S. Chronic pruritus—pathogenesis, clinical aspects and treatment. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010;24:1249–60.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Rea JN, Newhouse ML, Halil T. Skin disease in Lambeth. A community study of prevalence and use of medical care. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1976;30:107–14.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Matterne U, Strassner T, Apfelbacher CJ, Diepgen TL, Weisshaar E. Measuring the prevalence of chronic itch in the general population: development and validation of a questionnaire for use in large-scale studies. Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:250–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Matterne U, Apfelbacher CJ, Vogelgsang L, Loerbroks A, Weisshaar E. Incidence and determinants of chronic pruritus: a population-based cohort study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2013;93:532–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Carr CW, Veledar E, Chen SC. Factors mediating the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150:613–20. Documents the multitude of factors that influence the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life in a large (n = 1075) cohort.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Dalgard F, Lien L, Dalen I. Itch in the community: associations with psychosocial factors among adults. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007;21:1215–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Sommer F, Hensen P, Bockenholt B, Metze D, Luger TA, Stander S. Underlying diseases and co-factors in patients with severe chronic pruritus: a 3-year retrospective study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007;87:510–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Valdes-Rodriguez R, Mollanazar NK, Gonzalez-Muro J, Nattkemper L, Torres-Alvarez B, Lopez-Esqueda FJ, et al. Itch prevalence and characteristics in a Hispanic geriatric population: a comprehensive study using a standardized itch questionnaire. Acta Derm Venereol 2014. First study assessing the prevalence, intensity, characteristics, and associated comorbidities of chronic itch in a geriatric population.

  21. Thapa DP, Jha AK, Kharel C, Shrestha S. Dermatological problems in geriatric patients: a hospital based study. Nepal Med Coll J. 2012;14:193–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Yalcin B, Tamer E, Toy GG, Oztas P, Hayran M, Alli N. The prevalence of skin diseases in the elderly: analysis of 4099 geriatric patients. Int J Dermatol. 2006;45:672–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Beauregard S, Gilchrest BA. A survey of skin problems and skin care regimens in the elderly. Arch Dermatol. 1987;123:1638–43.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sayal S, Rajbhandari S, Malik A, Gupta C. A study of dermatological disorders in geriatric age group. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1998;64:270–2.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Darjani A, Mohtasham-Amiri Z, Mohammad Amini K, Golchai J, Sadre-Eshkevari S, Alizade N. Skin disorders among elder patients in a referral center in northern Iran (2011). Dermatol Res Pract. 2013;2013:193205.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Rubegni P, Poggiali S, Nami N, Rubegni M, Fimiani M. Skin diseases in geriatric patients: our experience from a public skin outpatient clinic in Siena. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2012;147:631–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Tey HL, Yosipovitch G. Itch in ethnic populations. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90:227–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Wang H, Papoiu AD, Coghill RC, Patel T, Wang N, Yosipovitch G. Ethnic differences in pain, itch and thermal detection in response to topical capsaicin: African Americans display a notably limited hyperalgesia and neurogenic inflammation. Br J Dermatol. 2010;162:1023–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Dalgard F, Holm JO, Svensson A, Kumar B, Sundby J. Self reported skin morbidity and ethnicity: a population-based study in a western community. BMC Dermatol. 2007;7:4.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Boguniewicz M. Atopic dermatitis: beyond the itch that rashes. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005;25:333–51.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Wold L, Chen JK, Lampel HP. Hand dermatitis: an allergist’s nightmare. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2014;14:474-014-0474-0.

  32. Ruppert L, Apfelbacher C, Molin S, Bauer A, Mahler V, Schmitt J, et al. Itching in patients with chronic hand eczema: data from the CARPE registry. Dermatology. 2014;229:146–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Stern RS, Nijsten T, Feldman SR, Margolis DJ, Rolstad T. Psoriasis is common, carries a substantial burden even when not extensive, and is associated with widespread treatment dissatisfaction. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004;9:136–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. de Korte J, Sprangers MA, Mombers FM, Bos JD. Quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a systematic literature review. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004;9:140–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Rapp SR, Feldman SR, Exum ML, Fleischer Jr AB, Reboussin DM. Psoriasis causes as much disability as other major medical diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999;41:401–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. van de Kerkhof PC, de Hoop D, de Korte J, Cobelens SA, Kuipers MV. Patient compliance and disease management in the treatment of psoriasis in the Netherlands. Dermatology. 2000;200:292–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. van de Kerkhof PC, de Hoop D, de Korte J, Kuipers MV. Scalp psoriasis, clinical presentations and therapeutic management. Dermatology. 1998;197:326–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Krueger G, Koo J, Lebwohl M, Menter A, Stern RS, Rolstad T. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life: results of a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation patient-membership survey. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:280–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Szepietowski JC, Reich A, Wisnicka B. Itching in patients suffering from psoriasis. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2002;10:221–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Sampogna F, Gisondi P, Melchi CF, Amerio P, Girolomoni G, Abeni D, et al. Prevalence of symptoms experienced by patients with different clinical types of psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2004;151:594–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Prignano F, Ricceri F, Pescitelli L, Lotti T. Itch in psoriasis: epidemiology, clinical aspects and treatment options. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2009;2:9–13.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Yosipovitch G, Goon A, Wee J, Chan YH, Goh CL. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of pruritus among patients with extensive psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143:969–73.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Amatya B, Wennersten G, Nordlind K. Patients’ perspective of pruritus in chronic plaque psoriasis: a questionnaire-based study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008;22:822–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Roblin D, Wickramasinghe R, Yosipovitch G. Pruritus severity in patients with psoriasis is not correlated with psoriasis disease severity. J Am Acad Dermatol;70:390–391.

  45. Lebwohl MG, Bachelez H, Barker J, Girolomoni G, Kavanaugh A, Langley RG, et al. Patient perspectives in the management of psoriasis: results from the population-based Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Survey. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014;70:871–81.e1-30. Documents the unmet needs of patients with psoriasis and highlights the need for improved severity assessment tools.

  46. Yosipovitch G, Ansari N, Goon A, Chan YH, Goh CL. Clinical characteristics of pruritus in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Br J Dermatol. 2002;147:32–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Girardi M, Heald PW, Wilson LD. The pathogenesis of mycosis fungoides. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:1978–88.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Elmer KB, George RM. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma presenting as benign dermatoses. Am Fam Physician. 1999;59:2809–13.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Bradford PT, Devesa SS, Anderson WF, Toro JR. Cutaneous lymphoma incidence patterns in the United States: a population-based study of 3884 cases. Blood. 2009;113:5064–73.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Meyer N, Paul C, Misery L. Pruritus in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: frequent, often severe and difficult to treat. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90:12–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Gerami P, Rosen S, Kuzel T, Boone SL, Guitart J. Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: an aggressive variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:738–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Duvic M, Talpur R, Ni X, Zhang C, Hazarika P, Kelly C, et al. Phase 2 trial of oral vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) for refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Blood. 2007;109:31–9.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Reich A, Welz-Kubiak K, Szepietowski JC. Pruritus differences between psoriasis and lichen planus. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011;91:605–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Misery L, Myon E, Martin N, Verriere F, Nocera T, Taieb C. Sensitive skin in France: an epidemiological approach. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2005;132:425–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. T-J Goon A, Yosipovitch G, Chan YH, Goh CL. Clinical characteristics of generalized idiopathic pruritus in patients from a tertiary referral center in Singapore. Int J Dermatol. 2007;46:1023–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Nicolas ME, Krause PK, Gibson LE, Murray JA. Dermatitis herpetiformis. Int J Dermatol. 2003;42:588–600.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Bolotin D, Petronic-Rosic V. Dermatitis herpetiformis. Part I. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;64:1017–24. quiz 1025–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Yeh SW, Ahmed B, Sami N, Razzaque AA. Blistering disorders: diagnosis and treatment. Dermatol Ther. 2003;16:214–23.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Alonso-Llamazares J, Rogers 3rd RS, Oursler JR, Calobrisi SD. Bullous pemphigoid presenting as generalized pruritus: observations in six patients. Int J Dermatol. 1998;37:508–14.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Schroder L, Hertl M, Chatzigeorgakidis E, Phan NQ, Stander S. Chronic pruritus in autoimmune dermatoses: results of a comparative survey. Hautarzt. 2012;63:558–66.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Yosipovitch G, Tan A, LoSicco K, Manabat CG, Kannagra A, Carroll C, et al. A comparative study of clinical characteristics, work-up, treatment, and association to malignancy in dermatomyositis between two tertiary skin centers in the USA and Singapore. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52:813–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Shirani Z, Kucenic MJ, Carroll CL, Fleischer Jr AB, Feldman SR, Yosipovitch G, et al. Pruritus in adult dermatomyositis. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2004;29:273–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Razykov I, Thombs BD, Hudson M, Bassel M, Baron M, Canadian Scleroderma Research Group. Prevalence and clinical correlates of pruritus in patients with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2009;61:1765–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. El-Baalbaki G, Razykov I, Hudson M, Bassel M, Baron M, Thombs BD, et al. Association of pruritus with quality of life and disability in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010;62:1489–95.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Mettang T, Kremer AE. Uremic pruritus. Kidney Int 2014.

  66. Young Jr AW, Sweeney EW, David DS, Cheigh J, Hochgelerenl EL, Sakai S, et al. Dermatologic evaluation of pruritus in patients on hemodialysis. N Y State J Med. 1973;73:2670–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Ponticelli C, Bencini PL. Uremic pruritus: a review. Nephron. 1992;60:1–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Pauli-Magnus C, Mikus G, Alscher DM, Kirschner T, Nagel W, Gugeler N, et al. Naltrexone does not relieve uremic pruritus: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2000;11:514–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Narita I, Alchi B, Omori K, Sato F, Ajiro J, Saga D, et al. Etiology and prognostic significance of severe uremic pruritus in chronic hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int. 2006;69:1626–32.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Pisoni RL, Wikstrom B, Elder SJ, Akizawa T, Asano Y, Keen ML, et al. Pruritus in haemodialysis patients: international results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2006;21:3495–505.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Zucker I, Yosipovitch G, David M, Gafter U, Boner G. Prevalence and characterization of uremic pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis: uremic pruritus is still a major problem for patients with end-stage renal disease. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49:842–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Patel TS, Freedman BI, Yosipovitch G. An update on pruritus associated with CKD. Am J Kidney Dis. 2007;50:11–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Yosipovitch G, Zucker I, Boner G, Gafter U, Shapira Y, David M. A questionnaire for the assessment of pruritus: validation in uremic patients. Acta Derm Venereol. 2001;81:108–11.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Kremer AE, Oude Elferink RP, Beuers U. Pathophysiology and current management of pruritus in liver disease. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2011;35:89–97.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Bergasa N. Pruritus of Cholestasis. In: Carstens E, Akiyama T, editors. Itch: mechanisms and treatment. Boca Raton (FL): by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; 2014.

  76. Cribier B, Samain F, Vetter D, Heid E, Grosshans E. Systematic cutaneous examination in hepatitis C virus infected patients. Acta Derm Venereol. 1998;78:355–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Koulentaki M, Ioannidou D, Stefanidou M, Maraki S, Drigiannakis I, Dimoulios P, et al. Dermatological manifestations in primary biliary cirrhosis patients: a case control study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101:541–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Huesmann M, Huesmann T, Osada N, Phan NQ, Kremer AE, Stander S. Cholestatic pruritus: a retrospective analysis on clinical characteristics and treatment response. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2013;11:158–68.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Stefanato CM, Reyes-Mugica M. Masked Hodgkin’s disease: the pruriginous disguise. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1996;13:293–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Feiner AS, Mahmood T, Wallner SF. Prognostic importance of pruritus in Hodgkin’s disease. JAMA. 1978;240:2738–40.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Gobbi PG, Attardo-Parrinello G, Lattanzio G, Rizzo SC, Ascari E. Severe pruritus should be a B-symptom in Hodgkin’s disease. Cancer. 1983;51:1934–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Rubenstein M, Duvic M. Cutaneous manifestations of Hodgkin’s disease. Int J Dermatol. 2006;45:251–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Ensslin CJ, Rosen AC, Wu S, Lacouture ME. Pruritus in patients treated with targeted cancer therapies: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69:708–20. Demonstrates the significant risk of pruritus in the setting of targeted anti-cancer therapies and highlights an important quality of life parameter that should be assessed in said patients.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Diehn F, Tefferi A. Pruritus in polycythaemia vera: prevalence, laboratory correlates and management. Br J Haematol. 2001;115:619–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Easton P, Galbraith PR. Cimetidine treatment of pruritus in polycythemia vera. N Engl J Med. 1978;299:1134.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Steinman HK, Kobza-Black A, Lotti TM, Brunetti L, Panconesi E, Greaves MW. Polycythaemia rubra vera and water-induced pruritus: blood histamine levels and cutaneous fibrinolytic activity before and after water challenge. Br J Dermatol. 1987;116:329–33.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Abdel-Naser MB, Gollnick H, Orfanos CE. Aquagenic pruritus as a presenting symptom of polycythemia vera. Dermatology. 1993;187:130–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Erskine JG, Rowan RM, Alexander JO, Sekoni GA. Pruritus as a presentation of myelomatosis. Br Med J. 1977;1:687–8.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Yosipovitch G. Epidemiology of itching in skin and systemic disease. In: Yosipovitch G, Greaves M, Fleischer A, McGlone F, editors. Itch: basic mechanisms and therapy. New York: Marcel Dekker; 2004. p. 183.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Neilly JB, Martin A, Simpson N, MacCuish AC. Pruritus in diabetes mellitus: investigation of prevalence and correlation with diabetes control. Diabetes Care. 1986;9:273–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Yamaoka H, Sasaki H, Yamasaki H, Ogawa K, Ohta T, Furuta H, et al. Truncal pruritus of unknown origin may be a symptom of diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:150–5.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Chosidow O. Clinical practices. Scabies. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1718–27.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Downs AM, Harvey I, Kennedy CT. The epidemiology of head lice and scabies in the UK. Epidemiol Infect. 1999;122:471–7.

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Walton SF, Holt DC, Currie BJ, Kemp DJ. Scabies: new future for a neglected disease. Adv Parasitol. 2004;57:309–76.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Kaushik SB, Cerci FB, Miracle J, Pokharel A, Chen SC, Chan YH, et al. Chronic pruritus in HIV-positive patients in the southeastern United States: its prevalence and effect on quality of life. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70:659–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Blanes M, Belinchon I, Portilla J, Betlloch I, Reus S, Sanchez-Paya J. Pruritus in HIV-infected patients in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy: a study of its prevalence and causes. Int J STD AIDS. 2012;23:255–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Cedeno-Laurent F, Gomez-Flores M, Mendez N, Ancer-Rodriguez J, Bryant JL, Gaspari AA, et al. New insights into HIV-1-primary skin disorders. J Int AIDS Soc 2011;14:5-2652-14-5.

  98. Josephine M, Issac E, George A, Ngole M, Albert SE. Patterns of skin manifestations and their relationships with CD4 counts among HIV/AIDS patients in Cameroon. Int J Dermatol. 2006;45:280–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Kumarasamy N, Solomon S, Jayaker Paul SA, Venilla R, Amalraj RE. Spectrum of opportunistic infections among AIDS patients in Tamil Nadu, India. Int J STD AIDS. 1995;6:447–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Hira SK, Wadhawan D, Kamanga J, Kavindele D, Macuacua R, Patil PS, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus in Lusaka, Zambia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988;19:451–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Bonacini M. Pruritus in patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C virus infections. Dig Liver Dis. 2000;32:621–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Oaklander AL. Neuropathic itch. In: Carstens E, Akiyama T, editors. Itch: mechanisms and treatment. Boca Raton (FL): by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; 2014.

  103. Yosipovitch G, Samuel LS. Neuropathic and psychogenic itch. Dermatol Ther. 2008;21:32–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Oaklander AL, Bowsher D, Galer B, Haanpaa M, Jensen MP. Herpes zoster itch: preliminary epidemiologic data. J Pain. 2003;4:338–43.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Ian McDonald AC. Chapter 6—the symptoms and signs of multiple sclerosis. McAlpine’s multiple sclerosis. 4th edition ed.: Churchill Livingstone; 2005. p. 326.

  106. Elsone L, Townsend T, Mutch K, Das K, Boggild M, Nurmikko T, et al. Neuropathic pruritus (itch) in neuromyelitis optica. Mult Scler. 2013;19:475–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  107. Arnold LM, Auchenbach MB, McElroy SL. Psychogenic excoriation. Clinical features, proposed diagnostic criteria, epidemiology and approaches to treatment. CNS Drugs. 2001;15:351–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Schneider G, Driesch G, Heuft G, Evers S, Luger TA, Stander S. Psychosomatic cofactors and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with chronic itch. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2006;31:762–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  109. Kretzmer GE, Gelkopf M, Kretzmer G, Melamed Y. Idiopathic pruritus in psychiatric inpatients: an explorative study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2008;30:344–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Mazeh D, Melamed Y, Cholostoy A, Aharonovitzch V, Weizman A, Yosipovitch G. Itching in the psychiatric ward. Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88:128–31.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  111. Pacan P, Grzesiak M, Reich A, Szepietowski JC. Is pruritus in depression a rare phenomenon? Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:109–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Reich A, Stander S, Szepietowski JC. Drug-induced pruritus: a review. Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:236–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Bigby M, Jick S, Jick H, Arndt K. Drug-induced cutaneous reactions. A report from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program on 15,438 consecutive inpatients, 1975 to 1982. JAMA. 1986;256:3358–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  114. van der Linden PD, van der Lei J, Vlug AE, Stricker BH. Skin reactions to antibacterial agents in general practice. J Clin Epidemiol. 1998;51:703–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

Conflict of Interest

NK Mollanazar, SD Koch, and G Yosipovitch all declare no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All studies by the authors involving animal and/or human subjects were performed after approval by the appropriate institutional review boards. When required, written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Itch Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3322 North Broad Street, Medical Office Building, Suite 212, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Nicholas K. Mollanazar, Savannah Dean Koch & Gil Yosipovitch

Authors
  1. Nicholas K. Mollanazar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Savannah Dean Koch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gil Yosipovitch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gil Yosipovitch.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Epidemiology

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mollanazar, N.K., Koch, S.D. & Yosipovitch, G. Epidemiology of Chronic Pruritus: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?. Curr Derm Rep 4, 20–29 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-014-0093-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-014-0093-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation