The incidence of hydroxyethyl starch-associated pruritus

Background Pruritus due to hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is reported with a ver y variable frequency but appears to be relatively uncommon in the U.K. comp ared with other European countries. Objectives To determine the frequency of HES-related pruritus in patients d ischarged from intensive care units (ICUs) in two U.K. hospitals. Methods A questionnaire survey was given to 253 patients after discharge fr om ICU. Questions were designed to exclude pre-existing skin disease and ot her causes of pruritus. Results One hundred and fifty-nine completed questionnaires were suitable f or analysis. Seventeen of 135 (12.6%) subjects who had received HES reporte d itch, as did one of 24 who had not received HES. There was no apparent re lationship between the occurrence of HES-related pruritus and either the su rgical indication or the brand or volume of HES infused. Conclusions HES-related pruritus is a problem that dermatologists need to r ecognize; however, its frequency in the U.K., when other causes of itch are excluded, appears to be lower than suggested in some previous reported stu dies.