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Sex- and Gender-Specific Differences in Chronic Pruritus

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Pruritus

Abstract

Although chronic pruritus is very common in the general population (lifetime prevalence of around 23 %), knowledge about sex- and gender-specific differences is still limited. Available studies show that females and males differ in their pruritus perception – females experience itch more intensely. Therefore, females not only demonstrate more severe psychological impairment but also present a different behavior – females scratch more. But also the qualities of itch differ. Females suffer more from a burning itch that suggests a stronger neuropathic component and they experience higher itch intensity on their lower extremities. Moreover, females can be distracted more easily from their itch on their legs; males on their upper extremities. Females and males demonstrate different brain activation patterns during itch stimulation. Thus, sex- and gender-specific effects on the central perception and modulation of itch needs to be taken into account for a better understanding of chronic pruritus.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Münster, Domagkstr. 22, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Astrid Stumpf MD

  2. Center for Chronic Pruritus (KCP), University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany

    Astrid Stumpf MD & Bettina Pfleiderer PhD, MD

  3. Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital of Münster, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Building A16, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Bettina Pfleiderer PhD, MD

Authors
  1. Astrid Stumpf MD
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  2. Bettina Pfleiderer PhD, MD
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Correspondence to Astrid Stumpf MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Brest, Brest, France

    Laurent Misery

  2. Center of Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Sonja Ständer

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Stumpf, A., Pfleiderer, B. (2016). Sex- and Gender-Specific Differences in Chronic Pruritus. In: Misery, L., Ständer, S. (eds) Pruritus. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33142-3_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33142-3_16

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-33142-3

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