title: Itch prevalence and characteristics in a Hispanic geriatric population: a comprehensive study using a standardized itch questionnaire.
abstract: A cross-sectional study of geriatric patients was performed to provide a comprehensive description of the prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic itch affecting Hispanic geriatric subjects in Mexico. Participants were recruited from both nursing homes and geriatric ambulatory care centers. Patients without dementia were evaluated using an itch intensity and characteristic questionnaire and were assessed for itch-related dermatoses (n = 302). Data on medications and underlying systemic diseases were obtained from medical records. The prevalence of chronic itch was 25% in this population. Of those with chronic itch, 69% had xerosis, 28% had itch-related dermatoses, and 96% had documented comorbidities. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.9, p = 0.003) and chronic venous insufficiency (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 1.6-12.2, p = 0.002). The most common areas where patients experienced itch were legs (54%), back (45%), scalp (28%) and arms (27%). Patients experienced the greatest amount of itch in the winter (77%) and during the night (65%). Chronic itch is a common problem in the studied Hispanic geriatric population, and its presence significantly correlates with xerosis, diabetes, and venous insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Itch Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valdes-Rodriguez
authors.forename: Nicholas K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Mollanazar
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: González-Muro
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nattkemper
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Torres-Alvarez
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: López-Esqueda
authors.forename: Yiong-Huak
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yosipovitch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D064232:Visual Analog Scale