Pruritus prevalence and characteristics in Care and Treatment Facility and Geriatric Outpatient Clinic patients: a cross-sectional study using a standardized pruritus questionnaires.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pruritus is one of the most common symptoms in geriatric patients. Pathogenesis of pruritus is multifactorial.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of pruritus in geriatric patients and to characterise pruritus and explore its possible underlying causes.

Material and methods: The study included 132 patients of 65 years of age or older. The intensity of itch was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), xerosis was assessed by overall skin dryness scale (ODS). Patients were asked to complete the 10-Item Pruritus Severity Scale (10-PSS).

Results: Patients with pruritus had significantly higher glucose levels and incidence of xerosis compared to those without pruritus. Patients with anaemia had significantly higher 10-PSS scores than those without. A high correlation was found between 10-PSS, NRS and VAS scales. The incidence of pruritus was significantly higher in patients using antihypertensives, antidiabetics and/or statins compared to those who did not use these medications.

Conclusions: One of the most common causes of pruritus is xerosis. It is essential to provide appropriate education to patients and caregivers on the use of emollients. Therefore, the development of recommendations would be desirable. Many drugs commonly used in elderly patients may be responsible for pruritus. An in-depth investigation is necessary as pruritus may be the only symptom or it may precede the appearance of typical skin lesions in the course of certain dermatoses for many months.