[Managing pruritus in palliative care]

Pruritus is a symptom frequently encountered in the elderly people or those with advanced illnesses. It is therefore a common complaint in palliative care. Approximately 35 % of palliative care patients report experiencing itchiness, although this incidence varies depending on the underlying condition. This symptom significantly affects quality of life, notably by disrupting sleep, increasing fatigue, and contributing to the development of skin lesions, which can sometimes become superinfected. The etiologies are numerous, and identifying an appropriate treatment can be challenging. This article provides an overview of the main therapeutic options available for the most common types of pruritus encountered in palliative care, including uremic, cholestatic, paraneoplastic, paresthesia-related, and opioid-induced pruritus.