Manuel P. Pereira, Alexandra Farcas, Claudia Zeidler, Sonja Ständer
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3892

Chronic pruritus of unknown origin is established when no underlying origin for pruritus can be determined. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the clinical profile and disease-related burden of chronic pruritus of unknown origin. A total of 263 patients (female/male: 154/109, median age 55 years) were included. Moderate to severe itch intensities were recorded (median average itch: 5.5/10, n = 200; median worst itch: 7.5/10, n = 199). In most cases pruritus lasted longer than 1 year (77.6%), occurred daily (68.2%), occurred in attacks (72.8%), and was often accompanied by dysaesthesias, such as burning, tingling and stinging. Quality of life was moderately impaired, while 22.2% and 12.4% of patients showed pathological anxiety and depression scores. Scratch lesions were associated with higher intensities of itch and greater impairment of quality of life, while women were more burdened by the disease than men. Chronic pruritus of unknown origin may occur at any age and the majority of patients endure severe itch with substantial disease-related burden.

Chronic pruritus of unknown origin is defined as itch lasting for 6 weeks or longer, for which no underlying origin can be determined. This study analysed the clinical profile and burden of chronic pruritus of unknown origin. In most cases itch is of long duration, occurs daily, is of moderate/high intensity and is accompanied by other symptoms, such as burning or stinging. The quality of life of patients with chronic pruritus of unknown origin is impaired, and a subset of patients shows signs of depression and anxiety. Patients with scratch lesions have more severe itch and lower quality of life, while women are more burdened by the disease than are men.