Pruritus in HIV-infected patients in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy: a study of its prevalence and causes

Pruritus is a common symptom in HIV-infected patients. However, there is a lack of studies examining this symptom. We investigated the prevalence of pruritus and its causes in this population by offering the possibility of participating in a skin health programme to all HIV-infected patients who attended our service in Alicante, Spain. Those who accepted (n = 303) underwent an interview and a detailed physical examination by specialists from the Dermatology Department. Between May 2003 and October 2003, 94 patients (31%) reported pruritus: xerosis, seborrhoeic eczema and interdigital tinea pedis were the most frequent dermatological entities responsible for this symptom. Patients with pruritus had higher viral loads (P = 0.006). We conclude that pruritus is still a frequent symptom in HIV-infected patients. To the best of our knowledge this is the first prevalence study of pruritus in an HIV population in the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era.