Epidemiology of Chronic Pruritus: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?

Current Dermatology Reports

Volumn 4, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 20-29

  Mollanazar, Nicholas K ^a   Koch, Savannah Dean ^a   Yosipovitch, Gil ^a  

^a TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE   (United States)

Author keywords

Atopic dermatitis; Chronic pruritus; Epidemiology; Geriatric; Prevalence; Psoriasis

Indexed keywords

APPLICATION SITE EXCORIATION; ATOPIC DERMATITIS; BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID; CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE; CHRONIC URTICARIA; CONTACT DERMATITIS; CUTANEOUS T CELL LYMPHOMA; DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS; DERMATOMYOSITIS; DIABETES MELLITUS; DRUG INDUCED DISEASE; DRUG INDUCED ITCH; ECZEMA; ETHNIC DIFFERENCE; FOLLICULITIS; HODGKIN DISEASE; HUMAN; HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION; HYPERTHYROIDISM; INCIDENCE; LICHEN PLANUS; MYCOSIS FUNGOIDES; NEUROPATHIC ITCH; PITYRIASIS ROSEA; POLYCYTHEMIA VERA; PREVALENCE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; PRURITUS; PSORIASIS; PSYCHOGENIC EXCORIATION; RACE DIFFERENCE; REVIEW; SCABIES; SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS; SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS; TINEA PEDIS; URTICARIA;

EID: 84996442972     PISSN: None     EISSN: 21624933     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s13671-014-0093-y     Document Type: Review

References (114)

1. Ikoma A, Steinhoff M, Stander S, Yosipovitch G, Schmelz M. The neurobiology of itch. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2006;7:535–47.
2. Shive M, Linos E, Berger T, Wehner M, Chren MM. Itch as a patient-reported symptom in ambulatory care visits in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69:550–6. This is one of the first studies to describe the impact of itch-related ambulatory care visits in the USA and the great need for continued research on the epidemiology, treatments, and potential causes of chronic itch.
3. Matterne U, Apfelbacher CJ, Loerbroks A, Schwarzer T, Buttner M, Ofenloch R, et al. Prevalence, correlates and characteristics of chronic pruritus: a population-based cross-sectional study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011;91:674–9.
4. Stander S, Schafer I, Phan NQ, Blome C, Herberger K, Heigel H, et al. Prevalence of chronic pruritus in Germany: results of a cross-sectional study in a sample working population of 11,730. Dermatology. 2010;221:229–35.
5. Wolkenstein P, Grob JJ, Bastuji-Garin S, Ruszczynski S, Roujeau JC, Revuz J, et al. French people and skin diseases: results of a survey using a representative sample. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139:1614–9. discussion 1619.
6. Stander S, Weisshaar E, Mettang T, Szepietowski JC, Carstens E, Ikoma A, et al. Clinical classification of itch: a position paper of the International Forum for the Study of Itch. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007;87:291–4.
7. Yosipovitch G, Goon AT, Wee J, Chan YH, Zucker I, Goh CL. Itch characteristics in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis using a new questionnaire for the assessment of pruritus. Int J Dermatol. 2002;41:212–6.
8. Dawn A, Papoiu AD, Chan YH, Rapp SR, Rassette N, Yosipovitch G. Itch characteristics in atopic dermatitis: results of a web-based questionnaire. Br J Dermatol. 2009;160:642–4.
9. O’Neill JL, Chan YH, Rapp SR, Yosipovitch G. Differences in itch characteristics between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients: results of a web-based questionnaire. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011;91:537–40.
10. Dalgard F, Svensson A, Holm JO, Sundby J. Self-reported skin morbidity among adults: associations with quality of life and general health in a Norwegian survey. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004;9:120–5.
11. Dalgard F, Dawn AG, Yosipovitch G. Are itch and chronic pain associated in adults? Results of a large population survey in Norway. Dermatology. 2007;214:305–9.
12. Weisshaar E, Dalgard F. Epidemiology of itch: adding to the burden of skin morbidity. Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:339–50.
13. Metz M, Stander S. Chronic pruritus—pathogenesis, clinical aspects and treatment. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010;24:1249–60.
14. Rea JN, Newhouse ML, Halil T. Skin disease in Lambeth. A community study of prevalence and use of medical care. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1976;30:107–14.
15. Matterne U, Strassner T, Apfelbacher CJ, Diepgen TL, Weisshaar E. Measuring the prevalence of chronic itch in the general population: development and validation of a questionnaire for use in large-scale studies. Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:250–6.
16. Matterne U, Apfelbacher CJ, Vogelgsang L, Loerbroks A, Weisshaar E. Incidence and determinants of chronic pruritus: a population-based cohort study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2013;93:532–7.
17. Carr CW, Veledar E, Chen SC. Factors mediating the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150:613–20. Documents the multitude of factors that influence the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life in a large (n = 1075) cohort.
18. Dalgard F, Lien L, Dalen I. Itch in the community: associations with psychosocial factors among adults. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007;21:1215–9.
19. Sommer F, Hensen P, Bockenholt B, Metze D, Luger TA, Stander S. Underlying diseases and co-factors in patients with severe chronic pruritus: a 3-year retrospective study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007;87:510–6.
20. Valdes-Rodriguez R, Mollanazar NK, Gonzalez-Muro J, Nattkemper L, Torres-Alvarez B, Lopez-Esqueda FJ, et al. Itch prevalence and characteristics in a Hispanic geriatric population: a comprehensive study using a standardized itch questionnaire. Acta Derm Venereol 2014. First study assessing the prevalence, intensity, characteristics, and associated comorbidities of chronic itch in a geriatric population.
21. Thapa DP, Jha AK, Kharel C, Shrestha S. Dermatological problems in geriatric patients: a hospital based study. Nepal Med Coll J. 2012;14:193–5.
22. Yalcin B, Tamer E, Toy GG, Oztas P, Hayran M, Alli N. The prevalence of skin diseases in the elderly: analysis of 4099 geriatric patients. Int J Dermatol. 2006;45:672–6.
23. Beauregard S, Gilchrest BA. A survey of skin problems and skin care regimens in the elderly. Arch Dermatol. 1987;123:1638–43.
24. Sayal S, Rajbhandari S, Malik A, Gupta C. A study of dermatological disorders in geriatric age group. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1998;64:270–2.
25. Darjani A, Mohtasham-Amiri Z, Mohammad Amini K, Golchai J, Sadre-Eshkevari S, Alizade N. Skin disorders among elder patients in a referral center in northern Iran (2011). Dermatol Res Pract. 2013;2013:193205.
26. Rubegni P, Poggiali S, Nami N, Rubegni M, Fimiani M. Skin diseases in geriatric patients: our experience from a public skin outpatient clinic in Siena. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2012;147:631–6.
27. Tey HL, Yosipovitch G. Itch in ethnic populations. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90:227–34.
28. Wang H, Papoiu AD, Coghill RC, Patel T, Wang N, Yosipovitch G. Ethnic differences in pain, itch and thermal detection in response to topical capsaicin: African Americans display a notably limited hyperalgesia and neurogenic inflammation. Br J Dermatol. 2010;162:1023–9.
29. Dalgard F, Holm JO, Svensson A, Kumar B, Sundby J. Self reported skin morbidity and ethnicity: a population-based study in a western community. BMC Dermatol. 2007;7:4.
30. Boguniewicz M. Atopic dermatitis: beyond the itch that rashes. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005;25:333–51.
31. Wold L, Chen JK, Lampel HP. Hand dermatitis: an allergist’s nightmare. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2014;14:474-014-0474-0.
32. Ruppert L, Apfelbacher C, Molin S, Bauer A, Mahler V, Schmitt J, et al. Itching in patients with chronic hand eczema: data from the CARPE registry. Dermatology. 2014;229:146–53.
33. Stern RS, Nijsten T, Feldman SR, Margolis DJ, Rolstad T. Psoriasis is common, carries a substantial burden even when not extensive, and is associated with widespread treatment dissatisfaction. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004;9:136–9.
34. de Korte J, Sprangers MA, Mombers FM, Bos JD. Quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a systematic literature review. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004;9:140–7.
35. Rapp SR, Feldman SR, Exum ML, Fleischer Jr AB, Reboussin DM. Psoriasis causes as much disability as other major medical diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999;41:401–7.
36. van de Kerkhof PC, de Hoop D, de Korte J, Cobelens SA, Kuipers MV. Patient compliance and disease management in the treatment of psoriasis in the Netherlands. Dermatology. 2000;200:292–8.
37. van de Kerkhof PC, de Hoop D, de Korte J, Kuipers MV. Scalp psoriasis, clinical presentations and therapeutic management. Dermatology. 1998;197:326–34.
38. Krueger G, Koo J, Lebwohl M, Menter A, Stern RS, Rolstad T. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life: results of a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation patient-membership survey. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:280–4.
39. Szepietowski JC, Reich A, Wisnicka B. Itching in patients suffering from psoriasis. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2002;10:221–6.
40. Sampogna F, Gisondi P, Melchi CF, Amerio P, Girolomoni G, Abeni D, et al. Prevalence of symptoms experienced by patients with different clinical types of psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2004;151:594–9.
41. Prignano F, Ricceri F, Pescitelli L, Lotti T. Itch in psoriasis: epidemiology, clinical aspects and treatment options. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2009;2:9–13.
42. Yosipovitch G, Goon A, Wee J, Chan YH, Goh CL. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of pruritus among patients with extensive psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143:969–73.
43. Amatya B, Wennersten G, Nordlind K. Patients’ perspective of pruritus in chronic plaque psoriasis: a questionnaire-based study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008;22:822–6.
44. Roblin D, Wickramasinghe R, Yosipovitch G. Pruritus severity in patients with psoriasis is not correlated with psoriasis disease severity. J Am Acad Dermatol;70:390–391.
45. Lebwohl MG, Bachelez H, Barker J, Girolomoni G, Kavanaugh A, Langley RG, et al. Patient perspectives in the management of psoriasis: results from the population-based Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Survey. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014;70:871–81.e1-30. Documents the unmet needs of patients with psoriasis and highlights the need for improved severity assessment tools.
46. Yosipovitch G, Ansari N, Goon A, Chan YH, Goh CL. Clinical characteristics of pruritus in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Br J Dermatol. 2002;147:32–6.
47. Girardi M, Heald PW, Wilson LD. The pathogenesis of mycosis fungoides. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:1978–88.
48. Elmer KB, George RM. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma presenting as benign dermatoses. Am Fam Physician. 1999;59:2809–13.
49. Bradford PT, Devesa SS, Anderson WF, Toro JR. Cutaneous lymphoma incidence patterns in the United States: a population-based study of 3884 cases. Blood. 2009;113:5064–73.
50. Meyer N, Paul C, Misery L. Pruritus in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: frequent, often severe and difficult to treat. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90:12–7.
51. Gerami P, Rosen S, Kuzel T, Boone SL, Guitart J. Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: an aggressive variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:738–46.
52. Duvic M, Talpur R, Ni X, Zhang C, Hazarika P, Kelly C, et al. Phase 2 trial of oral vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) for refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Blood. 2007;109:31–9.
53. Reich A, Welz-Kubiak K, Szepietowski JC. Pruritus differences between psoriasis and lichen planus. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011;91:605–6.
54. Misery L, Myon E, Martin N, Verriere F, Nocera T, Taieb C. Sensitive skin in France: an epidemiological approach. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2005;132:425–9.
55. T-J Goon A, Yosipovitch G, Chan YH, Goh CL. Clinical characteristics of generalized idiopathic pruritus in patients from a tertiary referral center in Singapore. Int J Dermatol. 2007;46:1023–6.
56. Nicolas ME, Krause PK, Gibson LE, Murray JA. Dermatitis herpetiformis. Int J Dermatol. 2003;42:588–600.
57. Bolotin D, Petronic-Rosic V. Dermatitis herpetiformis. Part I. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;64:1017–24. quiz 1025–6.
58. Yeh SW, Ahmed B, Sami N, Razzaque AA. Blistering disorders: diagnosis and treatment. Dermatol Ther. 2003;16:214–23.
59. Alonso-Llamazares J, Rogers 3rd RS, Oursler JR, Calobrisi SD. Bullous pemphigoid presenting as generalized pruritus: observations in six patients. Int J Dermatol. 1998;37:508–14.
60. Schroder L, Hertl M, Chatzigeorgakidis E, Phan NQ, Stander S. Chronic pruritus in autoimmune dermatoses: results of a comparative survey. Hautarzt. 2012;63:558–66.
61. Yosipovitch G, Tan A, LoSicco K, Manabat CG, Kannagra A, Carroll C, et al. A comparative study of clinical characteristics, work-up, treatment, and association to malignancy in dermatomyositis between two tertiary skin centers in the USA and Singapore. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52:813–9.
62. Shirani Z, Kucenic MJ, Carroll CL, Fleischer Jr AB, Feldman SR, Yosipovitch G, et al. Pruritus in adult dermatomyositis. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2004;29:273–6.
63. Razykov I, Thombs BD, Hudson M, Bassel M, Baron M, Canadian Scleroderma Research Group. Prevalence and clinical correlates of pruritus in patients with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2009;61:1765–70.
64. El-Baalbaki G, Razykov I, Hudson M, Bassel M, Baron M, Thombs BD, et al. Association of pruritus with quality of life and disability in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010;62:1489–95.
65. Mettang T, Kremer AE. Uremic pruritus. Kidney Int 2014.
66. Young Jr AW, Sweeney EW, David DS, Cheigh J, Hochgelerenl EL, Sakai S, et al. Dermatologic evaluation of pruritus in patients on hemodialysis. N Y State J Med. 1973;73:2670–4.
67. Ponticelli C, Bencini PL. Uremic pruritus: a review. Nephron. 1992;60:1–5.
68. Pauli-Magnus C, Mikus G, Alscher DM, Kirschner T, Nagel W, Gugeler N, et al. Naltrexone does not relieve uremic pruritus: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2000;11:514–9.
69. Narita I, Alchi B, Omori K, Sato F, Ajiro J, Saga D, et al. Etiology and prognostic significance of severe uremic pruritus in chronic hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int. 2006;69:1626–32.
70. Pisoni RL, Wikstrom B, Elder SJ, Akizawa T, Asano Y, Keen ML, et al. Pruritus in haemodialysis patients: international results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2006;21:3495–505.
71. Zucker I, Yosipovitch G, David M, Gafter U, Boner G. Prevalence and characterization of uremic pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis: uremic pruritus is still a major problem for patients with end-stage renal disease. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49:842–6.
72. Patel TS, Freedman BI, Yosipovitch G. An update on pruritus associated with CKD. Am J Kidney Dis. 2007;50:11–20.
73. Yosipovitch G, Zucker I, Boner G, Gafter U, Shapira Y, David M. A questionnaire for the assessment of pruritus: validation in uremic patients. Acta Derm Venereol. 2001;81:108–11.
74. Kremer AE, Oude Elferink RP, Beuers U. Pathophysiology and current management of pruritus in liver disease. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2011;35:89–97.
75. Bergasa N. Pruritus of Cholestasis. In: Carstens E, Akiyama T, editors. Itch: mechanisms and treatment. Boca Raton (FL): by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; 2014.
76. Cribier B, Samain F, Vetter D, Heid E, Grosshans E. Systematic cutaneous examination in hepatitis C virus infected patients. Acta Derm Venereol. 1998;78:355–7.
77. Koulentaki M, Ioannidou D, Stefanidou M, Maraki S, Drigiannakis I, Dimoulios P, et al. Dermatological manifestations in primary biliary cirrhosis patients: a case control study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101:541–6.
78. Huesmann M, Huesmann T, Osada N, Phan NQ, Kremer AE, Stander S. Cholestatic pruritus: a retrospective analysis on clinical characteristics and treatment response. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2013;11:158–68.
79. Stefanato CM, Reyes-Mugica M. Masked Hodgkin’s disease: the pruriginous disguise. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1996;13:293–4.
80. Feiner AS, Mahmood T, Wallner SF. Prognostic importance of pruritus in Hodgkin’s disease. JAMA. 1978;240:2738–40.
81. Gobbi PG, Attardo-Parrinello G, Lattanzio G, Rizzo SC, Ascari E. Severe pruritus should be a B-symptom in Hodgkin’s disease. Cancer. 1983;51:1934–6.
82. Rubenstein M, Duvic M. Cutaneous manifestations of Hodgkin’s disease. Int J Dermatol. 2006;45:251–6.
83. Ensslin CJ, Rosen AC, Wu S, Lacouture ME. Pruritus in patients treated with targeted cancer therapies: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69:708–20. Demonstrates the significant risk of pruritus in the setting of targeted anti-cancer therapies and highlights an important quality of life parameter that should be assessed in said patients.
84. Diehn F, Tefferi A. Pruritus in polycythaemia vera: prevalence, laboratory correlates and management. Br J Haematol. 2001;115:619–21.
85. Easton P, Galbraith PR. Cimetidine treatment of pruritus in polycythemia vera. N Engl J Med. 1978;299:1134.
86. Steinman HK, Kobza-Black A, Lotti TM, Brunetti L, Panconesi E, Greaves MW. Polycythaemia rubra vera and water-induced pruritus: blood histamine levels and cutaneous fibrinolytic activity before and after water challenge. Br J Dermatol. 1987;116:329–33.
87. Abdel-Naser MB, Gollnick H, Orfanos CE. Aquagenic pruritus as a presenting symptom of polycythemia vera. Dermatology. 1993;187:130–3.
88. Erskine JG, Rowan RM, Alexander JO, Sekoni GA. Pruritus as a presentation of myelomatosis. Br Med J. 1977;1:687–8.
89. Yosipovitch G. Epidemiology of itching in skin and systemic disease. In: Yosipovitch G, Greaves M, Fleischer A, McGlone F, editors. Itch: basic mechanisms and therapy. New York: Marcel Dekker; 2004. p. 183.
90. Neilly JB, Martin A, Simpson N, MacCuish AC. Pruritus in diabetes mellitus: investigation of prevalence and correlation with diabetes control. Diabetes Care. 1986;9:273–5.
91. Yamaoka H, Sasaki H, Yamasaki H, Ogawa K, Ohta T, Furuta H, et al. Truncal pruritus of unknown origin may be a symptom of diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:150–5.
92. Chosidow O. Clinical practices. Scabies. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1718–27.
93. Downs AM, Harvey I, Kennedy CT. The epidemiology of head lice and scabies in the UK. Epidemiol Infect. 1999;122:471–7.
94. Walton SF, Holt DC, Currie BJ, Kemp DJ. Scabies: new future for a neglected disease. Adv Parasitol. 2004;57:309–76.
95. Kaushik SB, Cerci FB, Miracle J, Pokharel A, Chen SC, Chan YH, et al. Chronic pruritus in HIV-positive patients in the southeastern United States: its prevalence and effect on quality of life. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70:659–64.
96. Blanes M, Belinchon I, Portilla J, Betlloch I, Reus S, Sanchez-Paya J. Pruritus in HIV-infected patients in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy: a study of its prevalence and causes. Int J STD AIDS. 2012;23:255–7.
97. Cedeno-Laurent F, Gomez-Flores M, Mendez N, Ancer-Rodriguez J, Bryant JL, Gaspari AA, et al. New insights into HIV-1-primary skin disorders. J Int AIDS Soc 2011;14:5-2652-14-5.
98. Josephine M, Issac E, George A, Ngole M, Albert SE. Patterns of skin manifestations and their relationships with CD4 counts among HIV/AIDS patients in Cameroon. Int J Dermatol. 2006;45:280–4.
99. Kumarasamy N, Solomon S, Jayaker Paul SA, Venilla R, Amalraj RE. Spectrum of opportunistic infections among AIDS patients in Tamil Nadu, India. Int J STD AIDS. 1995;6:447–9.
100. Hira SK, Wadhawan D, Kamanga J, Kavindele D, Macuacua R, Patil PS, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus in Lusaka, Zambia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988;19:451–7.
101. Bonacini M. Pruritus in patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C virus infections. Dig Liver Dis. 2000;32:621–5.
102. Oaklander AL. Neuropathic itch. In: Carstens E, Akiyama T, editors. Itch: mechanisms and treatment. Boca Raton (FL): by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; 2014.
103. Yosipovitch G, Samuel LS. Neuropathic and psychogenic itch. Dermatol Ther. 2008;21:32–41.
104. Oaklander AL, Bowsher D, Galer B, Haanpaa M, Jensen MP. Herpes zoster itch: preliminary epidemiologic data. J Pain. 2003;4:338–43.
105. Ian McDonald AC. Chapter 6—the symptoms and signs of multiple sclerosis. McAlpine’s multiple sclerosis. 4th edition ed.: Churchill Livingstone; 2005. p. 326.
106. Elsone L, Townsend T, Mutch K, Das K, Boggild M, Nurmikko T, et al. Neuropathic pruritus (itch) in neuromyelitis optica. Mult Scler. 2013;19:475–9.
107. Arnold LM, Auchenbach MB, McElroy SL. Psychogenic excoriation. Clinical features, proposed diagnostic criteria, epidemiology and approaches to treatment. CNS Drugs. 2001;15:351–9.
108. Schneider G, Driesch G, Heuft G, Evers S, Luger TA, Stander S. Psychosomatic cofactors and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with chronic itch. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2006;31:762–7.
109. Kretzmer GE, Gelkopf M, Kretzmer G, Melamed Y. Idiopathic pruritus in psychiatric inpatients: an explorative study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2008;30:344–8.
110. Mazeh D, Melamed Y, Cholostoy A, Aharonovitzch V, Weizman A, Yosipovitch G. Itching in the psychiatric ward. Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88:128–31.
111. Pacan P, Grzesiak M, Reich A, Szepietowski JC. Is pruritus in depression a rare phenomenon? Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:109–10.
112. Reich A, Stander S, Szepietowski JC. Drug-induced pruritus: a review. Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89:236–44.
113. Bigby M, Jick S, Jick H, Arndt K. Drug-induced cutaneous reactions. A report from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program on 15,438 consecutive inpatients, 1975 to 1982. JAMA. 1986;256:3358–63.
114. van der Linden PD, van der Lei J, Vlug AE, Stricker BH. Skin reactions to antibacterial agents in general practice. J Clin Epidemiol. 1998;51:703–8.