Itch as a patient-reported symptom in ambulatory care visits in the United States - 17/07/13
Abstract |
Background |
European studies have shown that itch is a widespread symptom, yet little is known about its frequency in the United States.
Objective |
We sought to describe ambulatory care visits to clinicians in the United States for which itch was coded as a patient symptom.
Methods |
This study uses retrospective data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1999 through 2009.
Results |
Itch was coded as a symptom for an average of 7 million visits per year or approximately 1% of all outpatient visits, which was nearly 40% of the number of visits for the symptom of low back pain. Patients seen in visits for itch were more likely to be black or Asian than other patients (20% vs 14%). They were also more likely than other patients to receive a new medication (68% vs 36%) and were over twice as likely to receive 2 or more new medications (31% vs 14%).
Limitations |
Secondary data sets may not optimally capture patient reports and some of the procedures or medications may have been ordered for reasons other than itch.
Conclusion |
Visits to clinicians for itch represent a sizeable proportion of ambulatory care visits in the United States, and research on the epidemiology, treatments, and causes of itch should be a priority.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : clinic, clinic visits, epidemiology, itch, National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, outpatient, pruritus, quality of life, skin
Plan
Supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (K24 AR052667, Dr Chren). |
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Disclosure: Dr Chren serves as a consultant to Genentech Inc and Dr Berger serves as a consultant to Prescription Solutions. Dr Shive, Dr Linos, and Ms Wehner have no conflicts of interest to declare. |
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Presented in abstract form at the symposium entitled Scratching the Surface: Frontier in Itch from Skin to Brain at Washington University in St Louis, September 2012. |
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