Pruritus is a common complaint in the elderly population, and usually presents as a menifastation of a primary skin disorder. However, it can also represent certain systemic diseases and/or effects of drug-treatment. 

The goal of a new study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory characteristics of elderly patients with pruritus. 

This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 225 patients aged ≥60 years of both sexes, who complained of pruritus, along with 160 age- and sex-matched patients complaining of non-pruritic dermatological diseases. Routine laboratory investigations were carried out in both groups. Skin biopsy was done in some selected patients.

The results revealed that the mean duration of pruritus was 4.23 ± 4.9 months. Overall, 73.8% of cases had generalized pruritus; it was of moderate severity in 35.1% patients; and with a winter exacerbation in 20% of the patients. Meanwhile, dermatological causes of pruritus were detected in 54.2%; the second major etiology was systemic causes – in 29.8%. Furthermore, eczema was the most common dermatological cause of senile itching in 33.7% of the patients while renal diseases were the most common systemic cause in 46.2%.

In inference, it was stated that an early and proper management of senile pruritus is mandatory to improve the quality of life in the elderly population.  

Source: Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2021;14:1009-1015. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S322527