Burns pruritus--a study of current practices in the UK.
Pruritus is a universal symptom associated with burns healing. Little research has been conducted to assess physicians' attitudes and management principles in specialist units. A survey of UK burn units has identified a variety of opinions on the importance of various factors affecting the incidence of pruritus and a lack of a systematic approach in the assessment and treatment of this distressing symptom. A clear pattern emerged favouring the use of antihistaminergic agents for burns pruritus management with a low uptake of agents acting on the central nervous system as well as non-pharmacological adjuncts. The cumulative responses from the cohort of respondents are presented and issues pertinent to further research and clinical management are discussed.
Goutos
Ioannis
I
Plastic Surgery Department, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, Buckinghamshire HP21 8AL, United Kingdom. ioannisgoutos@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002053:Burn Units; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D000982:Antipruritics