Evaluation of the German guideline for chronic pruritus: results of a retrospective study on 385 patients.

OBJECTIVES

The first guideline for the treatment of chronic pruritus was published in 2005. The recommendations are based mainly on case series studies or expert opinions. This retrospective study aimed at analyzing the outcome of treatment according to the German guidelines in a representative cohort of patients.

METHODS

385 consecutive patients with chronic pruritus were evaluated for therapeutic outcome.

RESULTS

268/385 patients (69.6%) reported an antipruritic effect while 117/385 (30.4%) showed no response. Three therapeutic steps were undertaken by 40.3% of the responding patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Treating pruritus patients according to the German guideline achieved a high response rate. A prolonged treatment period with multiple therapeutic steps was needed by a high number of patients due to the lack of specific antipruritic substances. Given that multiple therapy steps produce a high disease and economic burden, novel target-specific therapies are eligible.