Itch in Elderly People: A Cross-sectional Study

Acta Dermato-venereologica
Radomir ReszkeJacek C Szepietowski

Abstract

Ageing is associated with numerous medical afflictions, including dermatological symptoms and diseases. Chronic itch (CI) in elderly people is a frequent symptom of diverse aetiology. This study assessed the prevalence and detailed clinical features of CI among 153 elderly patients hospitalized in the geriatric ward, including associations with comorbidities and pharmacotherapy. CI affected 35.3% of subjects, most commonly due to cutaneous conditions, mixed aetiology and neurological disorders (53.7%, 25.9% and 11.1% of pruritic subjects, respectively). The mean itch intensity assessed with the 4-Item Itch Questionnaire (4IIQ) was 6.6 ± 2.8 points. Viral hepatitis (p = 0.02), higher serum creatinine concentration (p = 0.02) and coexistent purpuric lesions (p = 0.002) were associated with higher 4IIQ scores. In logistic regression analysis CI correlated positively with female sex, atopic dermatitis, immobility, rheumatoid arthritis and ischaemic neurological diseases, while low-molecular-weight heparins, antipruritic drugs, allergy, rosacea and higher haemoglobin concentration had the contrary effect. CI is a frequent and interdisciplinary problem among elderly subjects, which requires a holistic clinical approach.

Citations

May 3, 2020·Dermatologic Therapy·Aleksandra A StefaniakJacek C Szepietowski
Jul 30, 2020·Journal of Clinical Medicine·Iwona ChlebickaJacek C Szepietowski
Jan 16, 2021·Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug·Trinidad Montero-VilchezSalvador Arias-Santiago
Feb 9, 2021·Frontiers in Medicine·Piotr K KrajewskiJacek C Szepietowski

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