Pruritus intensity assessment: challenge for clinicians

Abstract

Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation that provokes a desire to scratch. This definition underlines a subjective character of itching and therefore any objective measurement of its intensity constitutes a significant clinical difficulty. Various instruments and methods have been used over time to provide a more reliable and accurate evaluation of pruritus, however, none of them have become a gold standard, unanimously accepted by all experts. The authors have reviewed current literature data on the assessment of pruritus indicating existing shortcomings and underlying the need for future studies.