PRURITUS IN ADVANCED DISEASE
Zbigniew Zylicz, Robert Twycross and E. Anthony Jones (Eds)
This is a clear and concise account of the current state of our knowledge (and lack of it) about pruritus. The opening chapters describe the pathophysiology (pruritoceptic, neuropathic, neurogenic,
psychogenic, idiopathic), neurophysiology and clinical assessment. The following chapters describe the clinical features, pathogenesis and treatment options for the pruritus associated with various
conditions including cholestasis, uremia, opioid therapy, neuropathy and malignant disease. The final chapters summarize the topical and systemic therapy of the various types of pruritus.
Severe pruritus is relatively uncommon in clinical practice, but can be a most distressing complaint for the patient. This little book is full of information that will improve the way we think
about this complex symptom, and will be a valuable resource when confronted by a patient with difficult pruritus.
Robert Twycross laments that pruritus is likely to remain a Cinderella symptom, relatively neglected. Well, this book certainly puts the girl in the spotlight.
Roger Woodruff
Director of Palliative Care, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
August 2004
Author Information
Zbigniew Zylicz is Consultant at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Robert Twycross is Emeritus Clinical Reader in Palliative Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
E. Anthony Jones is Chief of Hepatology, Department of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Table of Contents
1. An introduction to pruritus
Z Zylicz
2. Neurophysiology
M Schmelz & H O Handwerker
3. Clinical assessment of patients with pruritus
Z Zylicz
4. Measurement of scratching activity
E A Jones, H A J Molenaar & N V Bergasa:
5. The pruritus of cholestasis and the opioid neurotransmitter system
E A Jones & N V Bergasa
6. Uraemic pruritus
J C Szepietowski
7. Opioid-induced pruritus
M Krajnik
8. Pruritus accompanying solid tumours
M Krajnik & Z Zylicz
9. Pruritus in haematological disorders
M Krajnik & Z Zylicz
10. Neuropathic pruritus
Z Zylicz
11. Psychogenic pruritus
J Y Koo & R S Lo
12. Topical therapy
J C Szepietowski & R Twycross
13. Systemic therapy: making rational choices
R Twycross & Z Zylicz
14. Treatment of patients with pruritus from the nursing perspective
H va Os & P Eland
15. Pruritus: past, present and future
R Twycross
Index
