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The incidence of hydroxyethyl starch‐associated pruritus
Author(s) -
Murphy M.,
Carmichael A.J.,
Lawler P.G.,
White M.,
Cox N.H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04184.x
Subject(s) - hydroxyethyl starch , medicine , incidence (geometry) , intensive care , surgery , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , physics , optics
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.