The incidence of hydroxyethyl starch-associated pruritus.
BACKGROUND
Pruritus due to hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is reported with a very variable frequency but appears to be relatively uncommon in the U.K. compared with other European countries.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of HES-related pruritus in patients discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) in two U.K. hospitals.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey was given to 253 patients after discharge from ICU. Questions were designed to exclude pre-existing skin disease and other causes of pruritus.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty-nine completed questionnaires were suitable for analysis. Seventeen of 135 (12.6%) subjects who had received HES reported itch, as did one of 24 who had not received HES. There was no apparent relationship between the occurrence of HES-related pruritus and either the surgical indication or the brand or volume of HES infused.


CONCLUSIONS
HES-related pruritus is a problem that dermatologists need to recognize; however, its frequency in the U.K., when other causes of itch are excluded, appears to be lower than suggested in some previous reported studies.
Murphy
M
M
Department of Dermatology, South Cleveland Hospital, Middlesbrough, U.K. michmurphy@hotmail.com
Carmichael
A J
AJ
Lawler
P G
PG
White
M
M
Cox
N H
NH
D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology
D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D010952:Plasma Substitutes