title: Frequency and aetiology of pruritus in admitted patients in a medical ward of Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prutitis or itching is a common complaint. It can be due to many dermatological and medical illnesses. This study was conducted to find out presence of pruritus in different diseases in patients admitted in a medical ward and to determine whether pruritus is more common due to medical causes or dermatological causes.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients admitted in North Medical Ward, Mayo Hospital, Lahore during March 2002 to November 2002 were included in the study. Complete medical history especially history of pruritus was taken. Physical examination was performed to diagnose the primary illness and to find cause of pruritus when present.
  
  
  RESULTS
  740 patients were included in the study. Sixty (8.1%) patients complained of pruritus. 5.4% had pruritus due to skin conditions. 2.7% had pruritus due to medical illnesses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients admitted in medical ward are having pruritus mainly due to medical diseases but skin conditions should not be ignored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical College, Lahore.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mahboob
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*