Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Apr 17:6:79.
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00079. eCollection 2019.

Comparison of Characteristics of Neuropathic and Non-neuropathic Pruritus to Develop a Tool for the Diagnosis of Neuropathic Pruritus: The NP5

Johanna Huguen  1   2 , Emilie Brenaut  1   3 , Caroline-Jade Clerc  1 , Florence Poizeau  4   5 , Pascale Marcorelles  3   6 , Gaëlle Quereux  7 , Alain Dupuy  4   5 , Laurent Misery  3   6
Affiliations

Comparison of Characteristics of Neuropathic and Non-neuropathic Pruritus to Develop a Tool for the Diagnosis of Neuropathic Pruritus: The NP5

Johanna Huguen et al. Front Med (Lausanne). .

Abstract

The diagnosis of neuropathic pruritus (NP) may be difficult. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of both neuropathic pruritus and non-neuropathic pruritus (NNP) in order to elaborate a tool to help the diagnosis of NP without clinical examination. One hundred and seven patients were included: Fifty three in the NP group and Fifty four in the NNP group. In multiple regression, presence of twinges, absence of burning, worsening with activity, no worsening with stress, and relief with cold ambient temperature were independent factors that were associated with NP. A score of two criteria out of five was optimal to discriminate NP from NNP with a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 77%. Alloknesis, hyperknesis, or the ice cube test were not included because their evaluation is based on clinical examination. Future high-powered studies are needed to confirm the results of the present study.

Keywords: diagnosis; neuropathic; pruritus; questionnaire; small fiber neuropathies.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Ständer S, Weisshaar E, Mettang T, Szepietowski JC, Carstens E, Ikoma A, et al. . Clinical classification of itch: a position paper of the International Forum for the Study of Itch. Acta Derm Venereol. (2007) 87:291–4. 10.2340/00015555-0305 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Yosipovitch G, Samuel LS. Neuropathic and psychogenic itch. Dermatol Ther. (2008) 21:32–41. 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2008.00167.x - DOI - PubMed
    1. Stumpf A, Ständer S. Neuropathic itch: diagnosis and management. Dermatol Ther. (2013) 26:104–9. 10.1111/dth.12028 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Misery L, Brenaut E, Le Garrec R, Abasq C, Genestet S, Marcorelles P, et al. . Neuropathic pruritus. Nat Rev Neurol. (2014) 10:408–16. 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.99 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Binder A, Koroschetz J, Baron R. Disease mechanisms in neuropathic itch. Nat Clin Pract Neurol. (2008) 4:329–37. 10.1038/ncpneuro0806 - DOI - PubMed