| Autor: |
Kaya E; Department of Supportive Care, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.; Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada., McDonald G; Department of Family Medicine, Horizon Health Network, Fredericton, Canada.; Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada., Gallagher R; Division of Palliative Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. |
| Abstrakt: |
Even though pruritus affects a significant number of people with chronic disease, it is rarely adequately treated. Drug therapies often rely on antihistamines, which have not shown to be beneficial in systemic pruritus. Hydroxyzine is frequently used to treat pruritus associated with kidney failure. Since Canada's sole manufacturer of hydroxyzine is no longer making this product, this is an ideal time to review the mechanisms of itch in advanced organ failure and the specific therapies that give relief. Although there is literature describing itch in patients with cancer, this article is limited to pathogenesis and treatment of systemic itch secondary to chronic, noncancer diseases. We summarize recent systematic reviews, although the studies included in these reviews are often small, and mostly cohort studies. |
