Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39644406›Full record

ReviewArchives of dermatological research2024

A review of the efficacy of complementary and alternative Medicines in managing Pruritus.

Promise Ufomadu, Bartley Joseph Gill, Theodore Rosen, Ida Orengo, Ikue Shmizu

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Archives of dermatological research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Promise UfomaduSchool of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. Promise.Ufomadu@bcm.edu.
Bartley Joseph GillSchool of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Theodore RosenSchool of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Ida OrengoSchool of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Ikue ShmizuSchool of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPruritus significantly impacts quality of life, leading to increased interest in complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) as potential treatments. This review explores the efficacy of various CAMs for pruritus.

methodsA comprehensive review was conducted on the effectiveness of several CAMs for pruritus. The Jadad Scale was used to assess the quality of evidence for CAM therapies when relevant. Key CAM therapies reviewed include capsaicin, acupuncture, menthol, camphor, phenol group medicines, oatmeal, and tar.

resultsFor capsaicin, several RCTs reported efficacy in reducing pruritus but were limited by issues with patient blinding. The average Jadad score was 3.7. Acupuncture RCTs had mixed results, with some suggesting benefits in uremic and histamine-induced pruritus. The average Jadad score was 3. Evidence for other CAMs like menthol, camphor, and oatmeal was limited.

conclusionWhile some studies indicate potential anti-pruritic effects of capsaicin and acupuncture, overall evidence quality is moderate due to study design limitations. Future research should pragmatically compare CAMs to conventional therapies, reflecting real-world clinical use. In the meantime, dermatologists can use this evolving research to provide patients with evidence-based guidance on CAM treatments for pruritus.

Indexed as

Acupuncture TherapyComplementary TherapiesPruritusCapsaicinHumansQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeCapsaicinBotanicalsComplementary and alternative medicineIntegrative dermatologyItchingPruritus

Identifiers

PMID39644406

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.