The incidence of hydroxyethyl starch-associated pruritus.

BACKGROUND

Pruritus due to hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is reported with a very variable frequency but appears to be relatively uncommon in the U.K. compared with other European countries.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the frequency of HES-related pruritus in patients discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) in two U.K. hospitals.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was given to 253 patients after discharge from ICU. Questions were designed to exclude pre-existing skin disease and other causes of pruritus.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-nine completed questionnaires were suitable for analysis. Seventeen of 135 (12.6%) subjects who had received HES reported itch, as did one of 24 who had not received HES. There was no apparent relationship between the occurrence of HES-related pruritus and either the surgical indication or the brand or volume of HES infused.

CONCLUSIONS

HES-related pruritus is a problem that dermatologists need to recognize; however, its frequency in the U.K., when other causes of itch are excluded, appears to be lower than suggested in some previous reported studies.