Association between itch and cancer in 16,925 patients with pruritus: Experience at a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus has been associated with cancer. However, limited data are available on the types of underlying malignancies associated with pruritus. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize the association between pruritus and different cancer types, as well as variations by racial group. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients ≥18 years of age seen at the Johns Hopkins Health System during 2013-2017. Patients with pruritus were compared with patients without pruritus. Analyses were stratified by race. RESULTS: Patients with pruritus were more likely to have concomitant malignancy than those without pruritus (odds ratio 5.76, 95% confidence interval 5.53-6.00). Most strongly associated were cancers of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract, hematopoietic system, and skin. Compared with white patients, black patients more frequently had soft tissue, dermatologic, and hematologic malignancies and less frequently had liver, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic malignancies. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design precludes analysis of the temporal association between pruritus and malignancy. The study is limited to a single tertiary care center. CONCLUSION: Pruritus is most strongly associated with cancers of the liver, skin, and hematopoietic system. Black patients with pruritus have a higher likelihood of skin, soft tissue, and hematologic malignancies than white patients, while whites have higher likelihoods of liver, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic malignancies.

Basal cell carcinoma in Singapore: a prospective study on epidemiology and clinicopathological characteristics with a secondary comparative analysis between Singaporean Chinese and Caucasian patients.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Susceptibility to and clinical presentation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) differ in Asian and Caucasian populations. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics of BCC in a multiracial Singaporean population, with a secondary comparative analysis between Chinese and Caucasian patients. METHODS: We prospectively studied patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed BCC at the National Skin Centre, Singapore from 2004 to 2008. RESULTS: In total, 274 BCC from 260 patients were studied, with 19 patients having two or more tumours. Their mean age was 67.5 years and 54% were male. Chinese comprised 80% and Caucasians 14%. The Chinese were 1.8-fold as likely as Caucasians to be older than 60 years, and experienced itch thrice more frequently. Caucasians developed multiple BCC threefold and truncal or upper limb BCC 2.9-fold more frequently than the Chinese. In terms of tumour subtype, morphoeic BCC was 2.7-fold more common in Caucasians. Pigmented BCC occurred 2.7-fold more often in the Chinese, most frequently on the head and neck of elderly Chinese. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the Chinese, BCC occurred more often in younger Caucasians, with a predilection for the trunk and upper limb, suggesting a greater role for recreational sun exposure as a risk factor. Pigmented BCC more commonly occurred on the head and neck of elderly Chinese and may be reflective of cumulative sun exposure as a risk factor. Aggressive morphoeic BCC was more common in Caucasians than in Singaporean Chinese patients.

Late-onset onchocercal skin disease among Ethiopian immigrants.

BACKGROUND: Onchocerciasis is an infectious disease caused by the filaria Onchocerca volvulus. Very little is known regarding onchocerciasis imported from endemic to nonendemic areas. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pruritic dermatitis simulating atopic dermatitis in Ethiopian immigrants in Israel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 27 Ethiopian immigrants to Israel was conducted. Demographics and clinical and laboratory data were collected. RESULTS: Of the group of 27 patients, 10 (37%) were men and 17 (63%) were women. The average age at referral was 29 years. All of the patients emigrated from Kuwara, Ethiopia. Diagnosis was done by either positive skin snip test or immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 serology of onchocerciasis in 14 patients. The most common presentation was a combination of lichenified onchodermatitis with atrophy and depigmentation (36%). Eosinophilia and elevated IgE levels were common. Seventeen patients were treated with a single administration of oral ivermectin 200 µg mg(-1). Thirteen patients responded to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Immigrants from endemic regions to developed countries presenting with pruritic diseases, especially those with a clinical picture suggestive of atopic dermatitis, should be evaluated for possible onchocerciasis infection. Ivermectin, a relatively safe and low-cost treatment, should be considered even in the absence of a proven disease. Physicians should have a high index of suspicion in patients with the corresponding residential history.

The inhibition by levocetirizine and fexofenadine of the histamine-induced wheal and flare response in healthy Caucasian and Japanese volunteers.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study compared inhibition by one 5 mg dose of levocetirizine with two 60 mg doses of fexofenadine separated by 12 h of histamine-induced wheal and flare responses in 9 Caucasian and 9 Japanese healthy male volunteers. Levocetirizine was more inhibitory than fexofenadine on wheal, flare and pruritus (p < 0.005). Variability, evaluated from the standard deviation of inhibition, ranged from 14% to 23.2% for levocetirizine and 65.4% to 112.4% for fexofenadine. Levocetirizine had a faster onset of action (30-90 min versus 2 h), shorter time to maximum effect (3-4 versus 3-6 h) and longer duration of action (at least 24 h versus ~12 h) than fexofenadine. The plasma levels of levocetirizine rose more quickly, reached higher levels, were more consistent and decreased slower than those of fexofenadine. There were no clinically significant ethnic differences in responsiveness to the drugs.

Worse Itch and Fatigue in Racial and Ethnic Minorities: A Burn Model System Study.

Racial and ethnic minority patients experience worse hypertrophic scars after burn injury than White patients. Subsequently, minority patients encounter differences in scar-related recovery domains such as itch and fatigue. This study examines disparities regarding postburn injury itch and fatigue in minority patients to better inform counseling and treatment considerations. From the multicenter National Institute of Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System Database (2015-2019), outcomes were analyzed at three time-points (discharge from index hospitalization, 6- and 12-months post-injury) using the 5D Itch and PROMIS-29 Fatigue measures. Multilevel linear mixed effects regression modeling analyzed associations between race/ethnicities and outcomes over time. Of 893 total patients, minority patients reported higher/worse itch scores at all time points compared to White patients. Itch scores were significantly higher for Black patients at 6 months (ß = 1.42, P = .03) and 12 months (ß = 3.36, P < .001) when compared to White patients. Black patients reported higher fatigue scores than White patients at all time points. Fatigue scores were significantly higher for Hispanic/Latino patients at discharge (ß = 6.17, P < .001), 6 months (ß = 4.49, P < .001), and 12 months (ß = 6.27, P < .001) than White patients. This study supports investigation of potential factors leading to increased itch and fatigue such as sociocultural factors, disparities in healthcare access, and psychosocial impacts of these symptoms. In the short-term, minority patients may benefit from additional counseling and focused treatments addressing itch and fatigue after burn injury.

Visual analogue scale: evaluation of the instrument for the assessment of pruritus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual analogue scale (VAS) as a method of pruritus assessment. A total of 310 subjects with pruritic dermatoses (148 Caucasian subjects and 162 Asian subjects) were recruited. The patients assessed pruritus intensity using the horizontal and vertical VAS, numeric rating scale (NRS) and verbal rating scale (VRS). All scales showed very good reproducibility (intraclass coefficient (ICC) > 0.8). No significant differences were found between the horizontal and vertical VAS (5.3 ± 2.9 vs. 5.3 ± 3.0 points, p = 0.34). Using NRS, patients rated their pruritus significantly higher than with VAS (5.7 ± 2.6 points, p < 0.01). VRS showed the highest correlation with NRS (R = 0.82, p < 0.001), followed by horizontal (R = 0.75, p < 0.001) and vertical VAS (R=0.74, p < 0.001). Based on detailed analysis following VAS categories were proposed: 0 = no pruritus, > 0-< 4 points = mild pruritus, ≥ 4-< 7 points = moderate pruritus, ≥ 7-< 9 points = severe pruritus, and ≥ 9 points = very severe pruritus. In conclusion, the VAS is a valuable method of pruritus measurement.

Prevalence, correlates and characteristics of chronic pruritus: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Pruritus is the most frequent symptom in dermatology. Its impact on quality of life is substantial. Epidemiological data on chronic pruritus (>6 weeks) at the population level is sparse, but is important in order to understand the burden and risk factors of this distressing symptom. The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to estimate the point, 12-month and lifetime prevalence of chronic pruritus, assessing its association with sociodemographic variables and describing its characteristics. A validated postal questionnaire was sent to 4,500 individuals in from the German General population. Three contact attempts were made. The response rate was 57.8% (n=2,540). The point prevalence of chronic pruritus was 13.5% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 12.2-14.9%), 12-month prevalence 16.4% (15.0-17.9%) and lifetime prevalence 22.0% (20.4-23.7%). Multivariate analyses found only ethnic origin independently associated with chronic pruritus. The impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life and emotional well-being appears to depend on severity rather than on the presence of the symptom alone. This is the first study to investigate various prevalence estimates of chronic pruritus at the population level. Despite its limitations (self-report and potential self-selection) this study indicates a high burden of chronic pruritus in society.

Pruritus in Black Skin: Unique Molecular Characteristics and Clinical Features.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pruritus dramatically disrupts quality of life, impairs sleep, and is difficult to treat. The pathogenesis and severity of chronic itch can vary significantly with race. Black skin has inherent structural and molecular characteristics that exacerbates pruritus, leading to unique presentations of pruritic conditions and added challenges in finding effective therapies. The aim of this review is to discuss structural variances in black skin, the subsequent epidemiological disparities in chronic pruritic conditions, and clinical management pearls for the management of itch in black patients. METHODS: Current literature including mechanistic, translational, and epidemiological data on racial differences in pruritus focusing on black skin were reviewed in Pubmed. FINDINGS: Black skin has several unique structural properties related to the pathogenesis of pruritus, including increased trans-epidermal water loss, decreased ceramide levels, lower pH in the stratum corneum, and increased size of mast cells. Black patients consequently are disproportionately affected by chronic pruritic disorders including atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, HIV-related pruritic dermatoses, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: Pruritus and chronic pruritus disorders disproportionately affects black patients. Management of pruritus of special importance in black patients includes low pH skin care products to protect the skin barrier along with emollients to diminish trans-epidermal water loss. Further mechanistic studies are needed to characterize racial differences in biomarkers and therapeutic targets of chronic itch.

Scabies and nocturnal pruritus: preliminary observations in a group of African migrants.

INTRODUCTION: Pruritus of scabies is due to a type IV T cell-mediated reaction to the mite's saliva, eggs, excrements and other products released by the mite during its life cycle. Movements of the mite also induce pruritus. According to the literature, scabies pruritus has higher frequency and intensity at night. METHODOLOGY: In this short communication we present the results of a survey on nocturnal pruritus in a group of African migrants with scabies. A questionnaire was given to 36 patients: "Is your pruritus more severe at night?" and "Do you wake up from the sleep because of pruritus?". RESULTS: The answer to the first question was "yes" in 13/18 patients (72.2%) visited from October 2018 to February 2019, and in 6/18 patients (33.3%) visited from May to September 2019. The answer to the second question was "yes" in 11/18 patients (61.1%) of the first group and in 5/18 patients (27.7%) of the second group. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that nocturnal pruritus in scabies is due to the temperature of the skin surface: when it is high, because of the use of pajamas, heavy sheets and blankets (from October to February), pruritus increases; when the skin's temperature is low, as in the summertime, when people usually sleeps without blankets, with light sheets and pajamas or not having a stitch on, pruritus is less frequent and severe. These conclusions must be confirmed by studies based on larger groups of patients.

Ethnic differences in pain, itch and thermal detection in response to topical capsaicin: African Americans display a notably limited hyperalgesia and neurogenic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Topical application of capsaicin commonly produces burning, stinging and itching as well as hyperalgesia to heat stimuli via activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there are differences in sensory response and neurogenic inflammation to topical capsaicin in four different ethnic populations with different skin types. METHODS: The study was performed in 40 healthy subjects consisting of 10 African Americans, 10 East Asians, 10 Hispanics and 10 Caucasians. Warmth sensation and heat pain detection thresholds, as well as pain intensity, were measured before and after application of capsaicin or placebo on forearms along with skin blood flow and the extent of the flare reaction. RESULTS: In African Americans the heat pain detection threshold, pain intensity and skin blood flow did not change significantly after capsaicin application, while in the other three ethnic groups a significant change occurred characterized by hyperalgesia and vasodilatation. The postcapsaicin warmth sensation threshold increased in African Americans and decreased in Hispanics, the latter also uniquely experiencing postcapsaicin itch. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicate that African Americans display a limited hypersensitivity following topical capsaicin, compared with the three other ethnic groups.

Itch in ethnic populations.

Racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence and clinical characteristics of itch have rarely been studied. The aim of this review is to highlight possible associations between ethnicity and different forms of chronic itch. We provide a current review of the prevalence of different types of itch in ethnic populations. Genetic variation may significantly affect receptors for itch as well as response to anti-pruritic therapies. Primary cutaneous amyloidosis, a type of pruritic dermatosis, is particularly common in Asians and rare in Caucasians and African Americans, and this may relate to a genetic polymorphism in the Interleukin-31 receptor. Pruritus secondary to the use of chloroquine for malaria is a common problem for African patients, but is not commonly reported in other ethnic groups. In patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, pruritus is more common and more severe in African Americans and Hispanics compared with Caucasians. Racial and ethnic differences in itch and its medical care are poorly understood. Research is needed to examine biological, psychosocial, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to these disparities.

Diffuse pruritic erythema as a clinical manifestation in anti-SAE antibody-associated dermatomyositis: a case report and literature review.

Anti-small ubiquitin-like modifier-1 activating enzyme (anti-SAE) antibodies have been recently discovered especially for myosin and identified as dermatomyositis (DM) marker. The frequency of anti-SAE antibodies in DM patients is extremely low. Diffuse pruritic erythema may be one kind of clinical manifestations of DM with anti-SAE antibodies. In this report, a 48-year-old female patient with amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) carrying anti-SAE antibodies presented diffuse pruritic erythema for 5 months. Diffuse pruritic erythema improved after treatment with prednisolone, cyclosporine, and thalidomide. The clinical characteristics of 75 previously reported cases with anti-SAE antibody-positive DM were reviewed, and the manifestations of the Asian and Western cohorts were compared. It was revealed that the Asian patients were more susceptible to diffuse erythema (17/34 vs. 3/41, P = 0.000), dysphagia (16/34 vs. 10/41, P = 0.040), and interstitial lung disease (ILD) (21/34 vs. 5/41, P = 0.000) compared with the Western patients. The frequency of malignancy in the Asian cohort was significantly higher than that in the Western cohort (10/34 vs. 4/41, P = 0.030).

[Terms for the feeling of itching in the Bavarian dialect]. / Wenn's "ameiselt" ­ Bezeichnungen für das Empfinden von Juckreiz im bairischen Dialekt.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus can have many different causes and is a very subjective sensation. As dialects show a greater diversity of linguistic expressions than standard languages, the description of the sensation of pruritus in a dialect might carry additional information about the quality of pruritus. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Q1/2016 in the rural Bavarian Forest region in Bavaria, Germany. Participants were recruited in the waiting rooms of local doctors. They were asked to complete four sentences composed in the Bavarian dialect in which one word per sentence that signified the sensation of pruritus had been replaced by a blank space. RESULTS: In total, the 1,007 participants (mean age 49.97 years, SD = 15.76; 58.2% female) named 2,870 expressions, 144 excluding duplicates. 98.7% of the expressions could be matched to 13 underlying terms. The most frequent ones were "jucken" ('to itch'', 59.5%), "brennen" ('to burn', 26.5%), "kribbeln" (no English equivalent, 1.1%), "kratzen" ('to scratch', 0.7%) and "beißen" ('to bite', 0.6%). The use of the different expressions was strongly situational: In 75% of the cases "brennen" ('to burn') was used in the context of contact to a stinging nettle (in German 'Brennnessel'). Two of the 13 expressions ("kribbeln" and "bitzeln", no English equivalents) were even used only in this scenario. DISCUSSION: In the Bavarian dialect several different expressions for the sensation of pruritus exist. Although "jucken" ('to itch') is the most common expression for the sensation of pruritus, the German medical terms "Pruritus" ('pruritus') and "Juckreiz" ('itch') don't do justice to the situational use of expressions in the dialect.

Self reported skin morbidity and ethnicity: a population-based study in a Western community.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown ethnic differences concerning cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and mental health. Little is known about ethnic differences in skin morbidity. The purpose of this study was to describe possible ethnic differences in self-reported skin morbidity in a Western urban community. METHODS: The design was cross sectional. 40,888 adults in Oslo, Norway, received a postal questionnaire providing information on socio-demographic factors and self-reported health, including items on skin complaints. RESULTS: 18,770 individuals answered the questionnaire. In the sample 84% were from Norway. The largest immigrant group was from Western countries (5%) and the Indian Subcontinent (3%). Itch was the most prevalent reported skin symptom (7%), and was significantly more reported by men from East Asia (18%) and Middle East/North Africa (13%). The same observations were seen for reported dry and sore skin. Hair loss was a dominating complaint for men from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East/North Africa (23% and 25%) and for women from the same ethnic groups. Women from Sub-Saharan Africa reported significantly more pimples than in the other groups (17%). CONCLUSION: The study showed that there were significant differences in self-reported skin complaints among ethnic groups. Issues concerning the cultural value of some skin symptoms should be examined further.

Making psychiatric sense of sand: a case of delusional disorder in Saudi Arabia.

Somatic delusional disorder is an uncommon psychiatric disorder that has been typically reported in elderly women. This article reviews the literature and describes a Saudi female patient who presented with novel somatic delusion of turabosis--the conviction that she was continually being covered by sand from sandstorms. Although the systematized delusional convictions remained unshakable, her anxiety and mood symptoms responded to a regimen of tricyclic antidepressants and her delusional beliefs resolved within eight weeks of treatment with risperidone. Sociocultural themes and therapeutic approaches to somatic delusional disorder are discussed.

Itch pathophysiology may differ among ethnic groups.

The prevalence of itch is higher in individuals with darker skin types. In this paper, we review the systems involved in the physiology of itch and how they may differ across the races. Current data point out that the differences may be explained by barrier function, mast cell physiology, and itch receptor polymorphisms.

Pruritus as a leading symptom: clinical characteristics and quality of life in German and Ugandan patients.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is the most frequent and distressing symptom associated with dermatoses and various internal and neurological diseases. OBJECTIVES: To investigate two different populations of patients with pruritus, one in Germany and one in Uganda, with a particular focus on clinical characteristics, aetiology and quality of life. METHODS: We investigated by questionnaire 132 patients (59 men, 73 women, mean age 54.5 years) who were referred to the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital of Magdeburg, Germany, with the diagnosis of pruritus as a leading symptom. The questionnaire was also applied in 84 patients who consulted the Dermatology Clinic at Mbarara, Uganda for pruritus. The questions referred to personal data and disease history of the individual, history and present occurrence of concomitant diseases, present and past therapy, quality, frequency and triggers of itching and scratching, other disorders and complaints, quality of life and impact on work and disability. RESULTS: Seventy-five (57%) of the German patients had pruritus due to dermatoses, 47 patients (36%) had pruritus due to a systemic disease and in 10 patients (8%) pruritus was of unknown origin. Most had a history of pruritus of several months up to years. Pruritus associated with dermatoses mostly affected the whole body and was permanent with an undulatory character. Affective reactions such as aggression and depression occurred more frequently in dermatological patients compared with those with systemic pruritus. The former group felt that pruritus had a greater impact on their lives. Almost all Ugandan patients had pruritus due to dermatoses except for three patients with pruritus of unknown origin. Eczema and prurigo were the most frequently observed dermatoses in both German and Ugandan patients. Patients with pruritus in both populations showed an impaired quality of life. There was no pronounced difference between the populations with regard to feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. CONCLUSIONS: A great deal of helpful information in this complex group of patients can be obtained using this questionnaire. Pruritus has a major impact on quality of life and especially impairs those patients with pruritus associated with dermatoses and pruritus of unknown origin.