Sex Differences of the Inflammatory Mediator Level at the Time of Itch Onset in Patients with Chronic Venous Disease

Abstract

This study investigated the sex diŠerences of the in‰ammatory mediator level at the time of itch onset in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). Twenty-seven CVD patients (nineteen women, eight men) and nine healthy controls (ˆve women, four men) participated. CVD-associated itching was observed in both men and women. Before sclerotherapy, both sexes had elevations in several itch-related mediators. Among these, women had signiˆcantly higher tryptase, whereas men had signiˆcantly higher b-endorphin and adrenocorticotropic hormone. After sclerotherapy, all levels normalized in both sexes. In this study, itching was increased tryptase in women and increased adrenocorticotropic hormone and b-endorphin in men.

Symptoms Associated With Chronic Venous Disease in Response to a Cooling Treatment Compared to Placebo

“…In a study of sex differences in itch in response to sclerotherapy, 74% of females and 50% of males experienced itch at the start of the study. 22 Itch scores were 1.25 versus 0.37 for males and 1.47 versus 0.10 for females (scale of 0 to 5 with 5 being the most severe itch) before and after treatment. Statistical significance was not reported.…”

Onset Mechanism and Pharmaceutical Management of Dry Skin

“…Varicose veins of the lower extremities are associated with various symptoms, including pain, swelling, and itching. 4,[20][21][22][23] Among patients with varicose veins, 25.3% of women and 19.0% of men in the Edinburgh varicose vein study complained of pruritus, and the number of women complaining of pruritus increased significantly with age. 24) However, the pathogenic mechanisms through which pruritus is associated with varicose veins of the lower extremities are unclear, and no curative treatment has been reported to date.…”

“…In research from my laboratory, 4,20) the mechanisms of pruritus in patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities were evaluated. Informed consent was obtained from patients who were diagnosed with varicose veins of the lower extremities at the Mie Heart Center and received sclerotherapy, and the amount of water in the stratum corneum, the TEWL, and itching before and after sclerotherapy were assessed.…”

“…25) Histamine then further stimulates sensory nerves, releasing substance P from the ends of C fibers and large amounts of histamine from surrounding mast cells. 20) Pruritus in varicose veins of the lower extremities is induced and exacerbated by mutual amplification, promoting the action of histamine and substance P.…”

“…Furthermore, the findings showed that decreased serum zinc induced the pruritus associated with varicose veins of the lower extremities. In future studies, researchers should evaluate whether zinc supplementation may be an effective treatment for alleviating pruritus in patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities 4,20) (Fig. 2).…”