Pruritus as a microvascular equivalent in diabetes.

ABSTRACT

Pruritis is a common symptom of many systemic and cutaneous localized diseases and diabetes mellitus is a common syndrome with multiple long term complications, including diabetic painful neuropathy. The involvement of small fibre neurons, in diabetic neuropathy, is recognized as the main pathophysiology. While the C fibres that mediate the sensation of pain and pruritus may belong to different neuronal circuits, there is evidence of cross talk between them. We therefore posit that pruritus may be a symptom of diabetic neuropathy. It should be viewed as an equivalent of microvascular disease, with its accompanying clinical significance and therapeutic implications.