RESUMO
Few studies have examined pruritus in elderly patients, a common dermatological condition. The study examines pruritus prevalence and characteristics in elderly patients referred to the Dermatology Unit, at Genoa's Galliera Hospital. The demographic characteristics of all Outpatient Clinic patients with any skin condition were examined, focusing on pruritus patients over 65. Pruritus was present in 36/262 patients (14%; M:F =20:16; mean age: 59.55 years). About 14% of 140 patients aged ≥65 years had pruritus, with 20/262 (8%; M:F =14:6; mean age: 74.6 years) exhibiting it. Visual analog score pruritus did not differ between patients aged ≥65 years (20/36) and <65 years (16/36) statistically. In 89% of patients, itch was related to a dermatological condition, mainly psoriasis. Only extracutaneous diseases resulted more frequently in the patients aged >65. No anamnestic link was found between drug use and pruritus in these patients. We confirm that pruritus is a common skin problem that affects both sexes, young and old, and is almost always caused by an underlying skin condition (mainly psoriasis). It is rarely caused by a new drug.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Antibodies to stratified epithelia characterize chronic ulcerative stomatitis, an entity that very closely resembles erosive lichen planus both clinically and histologically. These antibodies are directed against a 70-kd antigen. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to verify whether antibodies to stratified epithelia are present in patients with common lichen planus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight patients with various forms of lichen planus were studied. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed on both monkey esophagus and HEp2-2000 cells. Immunoblotting was done with cultured keratinocytes used as the source antigen. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had antibodies to stratified epithelia (in 9 directed against an antigen of 70 kd). Forty-eight patients had circulating antibodies detected by indirect immunofluorescence on both monkey esophagus and HEp2-2000 cells (in 7 directed against an antigen of 70 kd). Indirect immunofluorescence was positive only on HEp2-2000 cells in 21 patients. Indirect immunofluorescence was negative in 50 patients on both HEp2-2000 cells and monkey esophagus. None of the last 71 patients had antibodies directed to an antigen of 70 kd. LIMITATIONS: This is a serological study; results from direct immunofluorescence studies would be interesting. CONCLUSION: Antibodies to stratified epithelia directed to an antigen of 70 kd are not exclusive to chronic ulcerative stomatitis, but are also present in some patients with lichen planus.