The 5-D itch scale: a new measure of pruritus

Abstract

SummaryBackground-Itching is a subjective and multidimensional experience which is difficult to quantify. Most methodologies to assess itching suffer from being unidimensional, for example only measuring intensity without impact on quality of life, or only measuring scratching activity. None has actually been demonstrated to be able to detect change over time, which is essential to using them as an outcome measure of response to an intervention. The 5-D itch scale was developed as a brief but multidimensional questionnaire designed to be useful as an outcome measure in clinical trials. The five dimensions are degree, duration, direction, disability and distribution.

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) in Indian Children: Clinical Spectrum and Outcome

“…Genetic analysis was not done in our cases for diagnosing PFIC. Pruritus grading was based on 5D score, 14 especially for those undergoing BD surgery, to assess response. Upper GI endoscopy was done in cases with clinical evidence of portal hypertension.…”

A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Obeticholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

“…A genetics study is planned in a subgroup of patients after they receive obeticholic acid for 3 years. Assessments of safety and side effects included adverse events, laboratory variables, a visual-analogue scale for pruritus, 21 the 5-D pruritus questionnaire (measuring the degree, duration, direction [improvement or worsening], disability [effect on daily activities], and distribution of itching), 22 dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), electrocardiography, physical examination, and vital signs. A post hoc analysis to assess the correlation between the autotaxin level and the severity of patient-reported pruritus was also performed.…”

Brazilian society of hepatology recommendations for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases of the liver

“…The use of antihistamines is not recommended due to lack of efficacy (68) . Itching quantification using a visual analogue scale (VAS) can be helpful in the assessment of response to drug intervention with 0 to 3, 4 to 8 and 9 to 10 scales considered, respectively as mild, moderate and severe pruritus (195) . In addition, the 5-D pruritus scale is a valuable tool to quantify chronic prutritus, exhibiting a high correlation with the VAS (195) .…”

“…Itching quantification using a visual analogue scale (VAS) can be helpful in the assessment of response to drug intervention with 0 to 3, 4 to 8 and 9 to 10 scales considered, respectively as mild, moderate and severe pruritus (195) . In addition, the 5-D pruritus scale is a valuable tool to quantify chronic prutritus, exhibiting a high correlation with the VAS (195) . Cholestyramine, rifampicin, naltrexone and sertraline are recommended by European (68) and American Guidelines (121) and should be prescribed in a stepwise manner in order to control the cholestatic pruritus.…”