Chronic pruritus can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life (QOL)
Proposed mechanism: deposition of starch within cutaneous nerves
Conditions associated with chronic pruritus may include:
(1) cholestasis
(2) hydroxyethyl starch-associated pruritus
Factors associated with a worse quality of life:
(1) magnitude (extent, duration and severity)
(2) intractable (unresponsive to any therapy)
(3) interference with sleep
(4) anxiety and/or depression (mental distress)
(5) interference with daily activities
(6) concurrent pain
