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Papers of the Week


Papers: 25 Jan 2020 - 31 Jan 2020

PAIN TYPE:
Itch


2020 01 25


Cochrane Database Syst Rev


1

Interventions for chronic pruritus of unknown origin.

Authors

Andrade A, Kuah C Y, Martin-Lopez J E, Chua S, Shpadaruk V, Sanclemente G, Franco J V
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 01 25; 1:CD013128.
PMID: 31981369.

Abstract

Pruritus is a sensation that leads to the desire to scratch; its origin is unknown in 8% to 15% of affected patients. The prevalence of chronic pruritus of unknown origin (CPUO) in individuals with generalised pruritus ranges from 3.6% to 44.5%, with highest prevalence among the elderly. When the origin of pruritus is known, its management may be straightforward if an effective treatment for the causal disease is available. Treatment of CPUO is particularly difficult due to its unknown pathophysiology.