Pruritus in the Diabetic Patient

Diabetic pruritus is defined as a manifestation of chronic pruritus due to diabetes mellitus (DM). Chronic pruritus (CP) caused by diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases is a clinical challenge referring to diagnostics and therapy as it usually occurs without initial skin lesions, with a lack of validated biomarkers, and as a slow but increasing onset of pruritus without clear clinical characteristics. This book chapter reviews the current scientific understanding of chronic pruritus in the diabetic patient, considering prevalence, epidemiology, and clinical presentation. The challenge to treat this entity lies in the complex interplay of neuropathic, metabolic, and inflammatory mechanisms influencing the underlying mechanisms of diabetic pruritus. Therefore, the field of pruritus requires further studies to deepen the understanding of the detailed pathomechanisms to advance development of further targeted therapies.