Abstract: Objective: To investigate the anxiety and depression in elderly patients with pruritus. Method: The anxiety and depression in 165 patients with pruritus of senile pruritus (case group) and 150 healthy controls (control group) was assessed through the A type behavior questionnaire, Self rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self rating Depression Scale (SDS). Results: 62.4% patients with senile pruritu and 40.7% controls have A type behavior tendency, with a significant difference (P<0.01). People who have A type behavior tendency may be more competitive and anxious. In case group, the incidence of moderate-severe anxiety and depression was 89.7% and 58.8%, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (30.0% and 22.7%), with significant differences (Ps<0.01). The scores of SAS and SDS in case group were 58.17±14.17 and 49.19±12.16, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (26.17±9.24 and 27.19±9.32), with significant differences (Ps<0.01). Conclusion: Most of the elderly patients with pruritus have A type behavior tendency and followed with moderate-severe anxiety and depression. Appropriate anti-anxiety or anti-depression treatment may improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Key words: the elderly, pruritus, anxiety and depression