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Pruritus associated with systemic sclerosis: a systematic review of treatment-based clinical trials
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Pruritus associated with systemic sclerosis: a systematic review of treatment-based clinical trials

Kiana Mortezaei, Rishika Pasula, Meryem Nursoy, Amit Syal, Ioannis Panayiotou, Geeta Kumari, Andreas Chatzitoffis, Pavle Milutinovic, Olajumoke O Fadugba and Chris T Derk
Rheumatology international, v 46(7), 166
22 Jun 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-026-06190-5
PMID: 42329448
url
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-026-06190-5View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Antipruritics - therapeutic use Humans Pruritus - diagnosis Pruritus - drug therapy Pruritus - etiology Scleroderma, Systemic - complications Scleroderma, Systemic - drug therapy Treatment Outcome Quality of Life
This paper aims to examine the latest research on treatments for itch (pruritus) in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), identify areas where information is lacking, and propose suggestions for future studies.A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify studies evaluating therapeutic interventions for pruritus in SSc. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series comprising a minimum of three patients. Data extraction encompassed study design, patient demographics, pruritus assessment instruments including validated and non-validated measures, and clinical outcomes. Studies were excluded if they concerned localized scleroderma, irrelevant populations, case reports, systematic reviews, lacking relevant outcome data, or incomplete trials. Ten studies met criteria, evaluating immunomodulatory agents, mast cell stabilizers, opioid receptor antagonist, and lysophosphatidic acid receptor antagonists. Pruritus assessment varied and was often secondary to fibrosis outcomes. Oral lenabasum improved pruritus in a phase II trial; low-dose opioid receptor modulators and rituximab also showed qualitative improvement. Pruritus is a frequently overlooked yet clinically significant symptom in systemic sclerosis (SSc) that negatively impacts patients' quality of life. Existing evidence regarding effective therapeutic options remains limited. Future research should prioritize pruritus as a predefined outcome and utilize validated assessment instruments to inform treatment strategies and enhance patient quality of life.

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