BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pruritus (itch) is an uncommon, but well described, symptom in neurology. There are itch-specific neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We noted excessive pruritus in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the characteristics of pruritus in NMO patients. METHODS: We reviewed case records of a well-defined cohort of 45 serial aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients visiting the national NMO service. All patients were interviewed. RESULTS: Of the 45 antibody-positive NMO patients, 44 had myelitis and 12 of those 44 (27.3%) patients reported pruritus within a week of other symptoms of transverse myelitis with central cord involvement. In three patients, pruritus was the first symptom of a relapse, while in one case, pruritus was the very first symptom of the index episode of NMO. CONCLUSION: Neuropathic pruritus seems to be a common, but under-recognised symptom of myelitis associated with NMO.
BACKGROUND:Neuropathic pruritus (itch) is an uncommon, but well described, symptom in neurology. There are itch-specific neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We noted excessive pruritus in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the characteristics of pruritus in NMO patients. METHODS: We reviewed case records of a well-defined cohort of 45 serial aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients visiting the national NMO service. All patients were interviewed. RESULTS: Of the 45 antibody-positive NMO patients, 44 had myelitis and 12 of those 44 (27.3%) patients reported pruritus within a week of other symptoms of transverse myelitis with central cord involvement. In three patients, pruritus was the first symptom of a relapse, while in one case, pruritus was the very first symptom of the index episode of NMO. CONCLUSION:Neuropathic pruritus seems to be a common, but under-recognised symptom of myelitis associated with NMO.
Authors: Marco Zoccarato; Maria Valeria Saddi; Giulia Serra; Maria Federica Pelizza; Irene Rosellini; Luigi Peddone; Anna Ticca; Bruno Giometto; Luigi Zuliani Journal: J Neurol Date: 2013-11-20 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Saif Huda; Dan Whittam; Maneesh Bhojak; Jayne Chamberlain; Carmel Noonan; Anu Jacob Journal: Clin Med (Lond) Date: 2019-03 Impact factor: 2.659