Liver function and plasma bile salts in patients presenting with generalized pruritus

ABSTRACT

Studies on 100 patients presenting with generalized pruritus without primary skin disease showed that bile salt/acid concentration was raised in all these patients and there was a linear relationship between bile salt/acids and degree of pruritus. In all these patients, mean serum proteins and albumin were decreased to a significant level in all patients. Serum bilirubin and serum enzyme showed significant increase. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen [HBs Ag] was negative in all patients