Ständer Sonja, Schmelz Martin, Lerner Ethan, Murota Hiroyuki, Nattkemper Leigh, Reich Adam, Stahl Lea-Sophie, Yosipovitch Gil, Weisshaar Elke, Wiegmann Henning, Apfelbacher Christian, Kim Brian S
Department of Dermatology and Center for Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Institut für Experimentelle Schmerzforschung, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2026 Jan;40(1):59-66. doi: 10.1111/jdv.20851. Epub 2025 Jul 17.
The definition of pruritus (synonym: itch) dates back to the 17th century and does not address the complexity of the sensation or the nature of pruritus as a disease.
Elaborate a new definition of pruritus comprising emotional aspects, stages and causal attributes.
In a pre-Delphi phase, stakeholders from pruritus-relevant global societies and patients elaborated itch definition proposals. In a Delphi phase, consensus was achieved when ≥75% of the voting participants agreed (7-9 Likert scale rating range) on a statement.
In two Delphi rounds, two statements defining the itch sensation and nine defining chronic pruritus as a disease achieved consensus. The definition of pruritus as an unpleasant sensation commonly triggering an urge to scratch mentions that external or internal factors can trigger, worsen, or improve pruritus. Chronic pruritus is described as a symptom of diseases but also as an independent disease. The definition of chronic pruritus includes temporal, physiological, causal, and quality of life aspects.
The new definition of pruritus allows the sensation to be separated from a disease state and aims to support practical use, including communication with patients, health authorities, and other stakeholders.
瘙痒（同义词：痒）的定义可追溯到17世纪，并未涉及该感觉的复杂性或瘙痒作为一种疾病的本质。
阐述一种包含情感方面、阶段和因果属性的瘙痒新定义。
在德尔菲法前期阶段，来自全球与瘙痒相关协会的利益相关者和患者详细制定了瘙痒定义提案。在德尔菲阶段，当≥75%的投票参与者对某一陈述达成一致意见（李克特量表评分为7 - 9分）时，即达成共识。
在两轮德尔菲法中，关于定义瘙痒感觉的两项陈述以及将慢性瘙痒定义为一种疾病的九项陈述达成了共识。瘙痒被定义为一种通常会引发搔抓冲动的不愉快感觉，其中提到外部或内部因素可引发、加重或改善瘙痒。慢性瘙痒被描述为疾病的一种症状，但也被视为一种独立的疾病。慢性瘙痒的定义涵盖了时间、生理、因果以及生活质量等方面。
瘙痒的新定义使该感觉能够与疾病状态区分开来，旨在支持实际应用，包括与患者、卫生当局及其他利益相关者的沟通。
