Scratching the Surface
A Miller School researcher leads a global study of itch
By Emma Yasinski
Illustration/animation by Giulio Bonasera
The study examined more than 50,000 people on every continent except Antarctica.
For years, Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., has wanted to conduct a worldwide study of itch, but he struggled to secure the necessary financial support. Dr. Yosipovitch, professor and Stiefel Chair in Medical Dermatology in the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the Miller School, had already completed several smaller studies of itch prevalence in specific regions. But those studies “don’t reflect all the population of the world and they were limited in numbers,” he said.
But in June, following research supported by French pharmaceutical company Pierre Fabre, he and colleagues from France published a study evaluating itch in more than 50,000 people living on every continent but Antarctica in the British Journal of Dermatology.
“This is clearly the largest study of itch,” said Dr. Yosipovitch, who also directs the Miami Itch Center. “And it was very striking that around 39% of the people suffered from pruritus [the medical term for itching].”
To quantify the problem, Dr. Yosipovitch and his team surveyed 50,552 people in 20 countries to answer questions about their recent experiences with itchiness. The sample included men and women from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia across varying sociodemographic backgrounds reflecting each country.
Aside from skin conditions, age was the biggest itch facto, with participants older than 65 most likely to say they’d itched recently. Women were more likely to have had itchiness than men, and the data suggested people in Africa may experience more itchiness than those in Europe.
“A lot of times people outside of dermatology say, ‘OK, itch. What’s the big deal?’” Dr. Yosipovitch said. “But when it affects so many people, it’s important to address.”
Itch can make it more difficult for people to sleep and cause fatigue and depression, which can exacerbate health problems. Itch is a major public health issue for the elderly population, because they are more likely to have dry skin due to damage to the upper layers of their skin. Dr. Yosipovitch’s earlier research suggested that an age-related increase of inflammation similar to eczema could be the cause of the sensation.
Most important, Dr. Yosipovitch believes this study will mark itch as a public health issue that needs to be seriously addressed.
“I’m very proud of this study,” he said. “This highlights our understanding that it’s a problem beyond boundaries. I think that’s the major take-home message here.” 
