Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41531005›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of dermatology2026

Pathogenesis and Therapeutics for Chronic Pruritus of Unknown Origin: A Systematic Review.

Yagiz Matthew Akiska, Isha Gandhi, Robert Adler, Deena Fayyad, Perya Bhagchandani, Shabnam Afzal, Waleed Adawi, Shivani Patel, Shawn G Kwatra

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–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

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Observational
  3. Review
  4. Review
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

9 authors.

Yagiz Matthew AkiskaDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9851-8523
Isha GandhiDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2481-3933
Robert AdlerDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7323-9516
Deena FayyadDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0553-4867
Perya BhagchandaniDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8331-9374
Shabnam AfzalDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6877-2084
Waleed AdawiDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1242-7960
Shivani PatelDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Shawn G KwatraDepartment of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3736-1515

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Chronic pruritus of unknown origin (CPUO) is a distressing condition characterized by persistent itch lasting over 6 weeks without an identifiable cause. The underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, complicating diagnosis and treatment. This systematic review examines the diagnostic work-up and therapeutic approaches for CPUO, evaluating the quality of treatment studies using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) algorithm. Our paper also uniquely integrates a review of potential pathogenic mechanisms. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases through September 2025 using terms including "CPUO," "chronic idiopathic pruritus," and "pruritus of unknown origin." Studies discussing pathogenesis, diagnostic strategies, or treatment were included. Treatment interventions were assessed based on the SORT algorithm. Of 228 identified records, 52 met inclusion criteria: 18 addressing pathogenesis, 5 discussing competing etiological hypotheses, 3 focusing on diagnostic work-up, 23 on treatment, and 3 on non-pharmacological therapies. CPUO pathogenesis appears multifactorial, involving Th2 dysregulation, neurogenic factors (JAK1, GRPR, TRPV4), metabolic alterations, and aging-related immune changes. Current diagnostic approaches emphasize exclusion of systemic, dermatologic, and neurologic causes. Treatment options include topical agents (calcineurin inhibitors, capsaicin), systemic immunomodulators (JAK inhibitors, dupilumab, nemolizumab), neuromodulators (gabapentin, pregabalin), and phototherapy. However, available treatment studies are of low quality, with few randomized controlled trials (RCTs). CPUO remains a challenging condition with unclear pathophysiology and limited high-quality therapeutic evidence. Further research, particularly RCTs, is needed to establish evidence-based management strategies.

Indexed as

PruritusAntipruriticsCalcineurin InhibitorsChronic DiseaseHumansAntipruriticsCalcineurin Inhibitorschronic idiopathic prurituschronic pruritus of unknown originitchpruritus

Identifiers

PMID41531005
PMCPMC12979243

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.