Measuring Itch: Chronic Pruritus - Bedside to Bench Perspectives

The presentation by Emily Call, an assistant professor in dermatology, focuses on the complexities of measuring chronic itch, or pruritus, highlighting the significance of both subjective and objective assessment tools. Call emphasizes that accurate measurement of itch is crucial for understanding skin diseases, evaluating treatment effectiveness, and addressing the lived experiences of patients, including impacts on quality of life. She discusses several validated measurement tools, such as the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and articulates challenges in their implementation due to the subjective nature of itch which can lead to variability in patient reporting. The presentation also covers the importance of incorporating automated data capture systems, wearable technologies, and biomarkers to enhance the accuracy of itch assessments. Emerging technologies, such as smartphone applications and machine learning for scratch analysis, are seen as promising directions for future developments in itch measurement and treatment customization. Ultimately, Call concludes that multisystem approaches are essential for effectively measuring itch and improving treatment outcomes.