Nearly 40% of adults globally experience pruritus, with prevalence peaking at 43.3% among those aged 65 years and older, according to a cross-sectional study involving 50,552 participants.

The study, published in British Journal of Dermatology, assessed pruritus prevalence across 20 countries from January to April 2023. Results showed higher prevalence among women (40.7%) compared with men (38.9%; P < 0.001). Regional analysis revealed the highest rates in Africa (45.7%; P = 0.007) and the lowest in Europe (35.9%; P < 0.001). Notably, pruritus prevalence in BRICS nations (40.3%) exceeded that of developed countries (38.7%; P < 10⁻³).

Participants with skin diseases were three times more likely to report pruritus (55.7% vs. 28.8%). Chronic hand eczema (79.6%), atopic dermatitis (72.6%), and psoriasis (63.0%) were the skin conditions most associated with pruritus.

Study limitations included the lack of data on pruritus severity and the distinction between acute and chronic cases. Researchers emphasized the need for further investigation into biological mechanisms and targeted interventions for high-prevalence populations.

Full disclosures can be found in the published study.