Current Trends in Causes and Mechanisms of Pruritus Induced by Systemic Diseases

Pruritus is a sensation that evokes a desire to scratch the skin. In particular, pruritus can be a burden for affected people when it becomes severe and chronic, as it deteriorates the quality of life. Dermatological diseases such as atopic dermatitis are mostly recognized as major pruritus-related disorders. Surprisingly, some non-dermatological systemic diseases can also evoke pruritus. In this review, we summarized the underlying causes and mechanisms of three nondermatological pruritus-related systemic diseases: including chronic kidney disease, cholestatic liver disease, and neoplasm. In addition, recent research observations and novel therapeutic strategies are discussed.