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Pruritus in the elderly: management by senior dermatologists
1Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Senior dermatologists identify xerosis as the primary cause of itching in older adults. Their treatment approaches for pruritus and xerosis vary, highlighting diverse clinical experiences.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Dermatology
- Clinical Therapeutics
- Diagnostic Approaches
Background:
- Pruritus (itching) is a prevalent and challenging condition in elderly patients.
- Experienced senior dermatologists may possess unique insights into managing geriatric pruritus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey senior dermatologists (older than 64) regarding their views on pruritus and xerosis in older adults.
- To understand their diagnostic strategies and treatment preferences for these common conditions.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous written questionnaire distributed to a random sample of board-certified dermatologists aged over 64.
- Analysis of survey responses from 63 participating dermatologists.
Main Results:
- Xerosis (dry skin) was identified as the most frequent cause of generalized pruritus in the elderly.
- Commonly ordered lab tests included complete blood cell count and multichemistry panels.
- Treatment recommendations were diverse, including topical agents (emollients, corticosteroids) and systemic medications (e.g., hydroxyzine hydrochloride).
Conclusions:
- The study offers insight into the diagnostic and therapeutic practices of experienced dermatologists concerning geriatric pruritus and xerosis.
- Treatment approaches show considerable variability among senior clinicians.