Itch in Elderly People: A Cross-sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dermatology
• Neurology

Background:

• Aging is linked to various health problems, including skin issues and chronic itch (CI).
• Chronic itch is a common complaint in the elderly with diverse underlying causes.
• Assessing CI prevalence and clinical features in hospitalized elderly patients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of chronic itch in elderly patients.
• To investigate associations between chronic itch and comorbidities, as well as pharmacotherapy.
• To identify factors influencing itch intensity in this population.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted on 153 elderly patients in a geriatric ward.
• Data collected included itch prevalence, etiology, intensity (using the 4-Item Itch Questionnaire - 4IIQ), comorbidities, and medications.
• Logistic regression analysis was used to identify correlating factors.

Main Results:

• Chronic itch affected 35.3% of the elderly subjects.
• The most common causes were cutaneous conditions (53.7%), mixed etiology (25.9%), and neurological disorders (11.1%).
• Higher itch intensity (4IIQ scores) was associated with viral hepatitis, elevated serum creatinine, and purpuric lesions. Factors like female sex, atopic dermatitis, immobility, rheumatoid arthritis, and ischemic neurological diseases correlated positively with CI, while certain medications and conditions showed inverse correlations.

Conclusions:

• Chronic itch is a prevalent and complex issue in the elderly population.
• It requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach for effective management.
• Identifying associated factors aids in developing targeted treatment strategies for geriatric patients with chronic itch.