2014, Number 2
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Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc 2014; 52 (2)
Prevalence of chronic pruritus in patients of a tertiary care hospital
Guerrero-Ramos B, Hernández-Salazar A, Villaseñor-Ovies P, Tinoco-Fragoso F, Esquivel-Pedraza L, Domínguez-Cherit J
Language: Spanish
References: 28
Page: 198-203
PDF size: 118.85 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic pruritus is occasionally intractable; it has different
etiologies and affects life quality. Our objective was to describe the
prevalence of pruritus in newly-arrived patients at the Instituto Nacional
de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed in newly-arrived
patients. We conducted previous surveys in order to identify those patients
with pruritus. With a second survey we inquired their sociodemographic
traits, comorbidities, drugs being administered, the characteristics of pruritus,
and the impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Results: Of 554 previous surveys, we identifi ed 70 cases of chronic pruritus.
Most of the cases were women in their middle ages (42 years).
According to the classifi cation of pruritus, 67.2 % was associated to the
underlying disease, 14.8 % was related to dermatologic condition, 3.3 %
to pharmacological effects, 4.9 % to other conditions, and 9.8 % was
idiopathic. Life quality was not affected in 7 %, was minimally affected in
28 %, and was mild to severe in 26 %.
Conclusions: Chronic pruritus was highly prevalent in the Institute. It
was mainly associated with the underlying disease, and affected signifi -
cantly the quality of life. More studies are needed for better understanding
its pathophisiology. Furthermore, new treatments will be available to
control pruritus, bringing a better quality to those affected patients.
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