Association of pruritus with death or loss of independence in community-dwelling older people: a population-based, cohort study in Japan

Pruritus is a common symptom in older people, but its clinical significance is unclear. In this population-based cohort study of 2286 participants over 70 years of age in Japan, very severe pruritus was associated with loss of independence (LOI) or death, compared with no pruritus. These findings suggest that very severe pruritus is an important symptom related to LOI or death.