Aquagenic pruritus: associated diseases and clinical pruritus characteristics.
BACKGROUND
Aquagenic pruritus (AP) can be induced by systemic diseases. The distribution of underlying diseases in a representative patient collective has not been investigated. This retrospective study aimed to determine the frequency and pruritus-specific parameter of systemic diseases in a series of patients.


METHODS
Data of 39 patients with AP (24 f, 15 m; mean age: f: 51.3 ± 20.1, m: 57.2 ± 15.0 years) were obtained and statistically evaluated as follows: demographic data, pruritus characteristics, underlying diseases, family history.


RESULTS
30.8 % of patients exhibited polycythemia vera or myelofibrosis (Group 1: G1), in 69.2 % (G2) no underlying disease was found. 25.6 % had lactose intolerance as possible contributing factor. Women were significantly more common in G2 (p < 0.01), with a lower mean age (p < 0.01) and longer duration of AP (18.9 years, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
AP occurs frequently with polycythemia vera. Other underlying diseases are rare; in over half of the patients no cause can be detected. In 25 % lactose intolerance is present which possibly acts as co-factor. Demographic parameters (age, gender) allow estimation of the possible underlying disease in AP. Pruritus characteristics are similar in all groups and not helpful in determining the origin of AP.
Heitkemper
Tina
T
Neurodermatology and Competence Center Pruritus, Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology, University Hospital of Münster, Germany.
Hofmann
Tanja
T
Phan
Ngoc Quan
NQ
Ständer
Sonja
S
D017677:Age Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014867:Water
D014867:Water