Clinical characteristics of generalized idiopathic pruritus in patients from a tertiary referral center in Singapore.
BACKGROUND
Generalized idiopathic pruritus is a rarely studied heterogeneous condition, where patients with non-inflamed, non-pathologic skin complain of widespread pruritus.


METHODS
We had administered a detailed pruritus questionnaire, based on the short form of the McGill pain questionnaire, on 75 patients with this condition.


RESULTS
All 75 patients recruited with generalized idiopathic pruritus completed the questionnaire. In 92% of the patients, pruritus appeared on a daily basis. Most patients experienced pruritus at night (56%) and in the evening (61%) and 69% had difficulty falling asleep. Pruritus mainly involved the legs (79%), arms (76%) and back (68%). Accompanying symptoms were heat sensation (17%) and pain (13%). 80% had been prescribed antihistamines, of whom 56% obtained short-term relief. The sensation of itch has been reported to be crawling (33%), tickling (20%), stinging (19%) and burning (19%). Patients also reported that the itch was unbearable (73%), bothersome (72%), annoying (67%) and worrisome (45%). The worst-state VAS scores were significantly higher in patients who reported agitation (P = 0.006), difficulty in concentration (P= 0.010) and anxiety (P= 0.033).


CONCLUSIONS
This study describes the sensory and affective dimensions of generalized idiopathic pruritus, and this questionnaire has been found to be a useful tool for evaluating pruritus in this condition.
T-J Goon
Anthony
A
National Skin Centre and National University of Singapore, Singapore. anthonygoon@nsc.gov.sg
Yosipovitch
Gil
G
Chan
Yiong-Huak
YH
Goh
Chee-Leok
CL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000982:Antipruritics