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[Pruritus in elderly: diagnosis and treatment]
Alet J G Leus1, Joost M Meijer1, Sytse U Zuidema2
1Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, afd. Dermatologie.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|January 4, 2019
Summary
Pruritus, or itching, is a common complaint in older adults, impacting their quality of life. Dry skin (xerosis) is the most frequent cause, necessitating treatment with emollients and other topical or systemic therapies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Pruritus is a prevalent dermatological issue in the elderly, significantly affecting their quality of life.
- Diagnosing pruritus in older adults is challenging due to complex differential diagnoses, comorbidities, and polypharmacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a classification system for identifying the underlying causes of pruritus in the elderly.
- To outline common causes and recommended treatments for pruritus in the geriatric population.
Main Methods:
- Classification of pruritus into 'pruritus with primary skin lesions' and 'pruritus without primary skin lesions'.
- Review of common etiological factors and therapeutic approaches for elderly patients experiencing pruritus.
Main Results:
- Dry skin (xerosis) is identified as the most common cause of pruritus in the elderly.
- Dermatoses are more frequent causes in primary care, while systemic causes are less common.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of pruritus in the elderly requires addressing the underlying cause and managing xerosis with emollients.
- Treatment strategies include topical therapies (corticosteroids, anesthetics, anti-inflammatories) and systemic medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, neuroactive drugs).
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