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Topical capsaicin cream was effective for chronic idiopathic intractable pruritis ani

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care

Key Words: pruritus ani • antipruritics

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

METHODS
Design: randomised, placebo controlled, crossover trial.

Allocation: concealed.^*

Blinding: blinded (patients and healthcare providers).^*

Follow up period: 4 and 9 weeks.

Setting: proctological outpatient clinics in a hospital and affiliated ambulatory clinic in Jerusalem, Israel.

Patients: 44 patients (mean age 50 y, 55% women) who had chronic idiopathic anal itching for 3 months that had not responded to traditional treatment.

Intervention: a thin layer of perianal topical capsaicin cream, 0.006% 3 times each day for 4 weeks (n = 22) or menthol cream 1% (placebo) (n = 22). After a 1 week washout period, patients received the alternative treatment for 4 weeks. No patients received topical steroids or anaesthetics during the study.

Outcomes: clinical response (itching scores of 1 = no symptoms or 2 = nearly complete symptomatic relief with sporadic episodes of mild itching; scores of 3–5 were classified as negative responses) and side effects (burning sensation after application, . . . [Full text of this article]

David R Gutknecht, MD

Geisinger Medical Center
Danville, Pennsylvania, USA