INTRODUCTION Paraneoplastic pruritus is defined as pruritus that occurs before or during the natural evolution of a hematologic disease. The reported prevalence is 30% in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma. The severity of this pruritus has a very negative impact on patients' quality of life. Very few studies have been made to examine the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for this type of pr...

Finkelstein W, Isselbacher KJ. Cimetidine. N EnglJ_ Med 1978;299:992-6. 2 Harrison AR, Littenberg G, Goldstein L, Kaplowitz N. Pruritus, cimetidine and polycythemia. N EnglJ Med 1979;300:433-4. 3 Zappacosta AR, Hauss D. Cimetidine doesn't help pruritus of uremia. N EnglJ Med 1979;300:1280. 4 Easton P, Galbraith PR. Cimetidine treatment of pruritus in polycythemia vera N EnglJ Med 1978;299:1134....

Patients with renal failure, usually end-stage renal disease (ESRD), commonly are afflicted by severe pruritus. The pathogenesis of ESRD pruritus is unknown, but improving the quality of dialysis can reduce the prevalence and severity of ESRD pruritus. Topical and systemic agents as well as broadband ultraviolet phototherapy can be extremely beneficial. Gabapentin has been recently discovered a...

The history, neurophysiology, clinical aspects and treatment of pruritus are reviewed in this article. The different forms of pruritus in dermatological and systemic diseases are described, and the various aetiologies and pathophysiology of pruritus in systemic diseases are discussed. Lack of understanding of the neurophysiology and pathophysiology of pruritus has hampered the development of ad...

Introduction Pruritus, or the sensation of itch, is the most common symptom among dermatology patients.1 Both cutaneous and systemic conditions may present with pruritus as the primary symptom. Chronic pruritus is a major cause of distress to patients and has a significant impact on quality of life. All ages are affected by pruritus, ranging from children to seniors, and it is the most common d...