Racial and Gender Differences in the Presentation of Pruritus

Pruritus is a common disease symptom with a variety of etiologies known to reduce patient quality of life. We aimed to characterize the racial and gender differences in the presentation of pruritus for itch-related patient visits both within a single institution and nationally. Cross sectional study...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicines (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2019-09, Vol.6 (4), p.98
Main Authors: Whang, Katherine A, Khanna, Raveena, Thomas, Jamael, Aguh, Crystal, Kwatra, Shawn G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
atopic
comorbidities
demographics
dermatitis
gender
itch
nodularis
prurigo
pruritus
race
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Summary:Pruritus is a common disease symptom with a variety of etiologies known to reduce patient quality of life. We aimed to characterize the racial and gender differences in the presentation of pruritus for itch-related patient visits both within a single institution and nationally. Cross sectional study of patients ≥ 18 years old seen at Johns Hopkins Health System between 1/1/12 and 1/1/18. Results were compared to data from 2005-2011 from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Health Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). Our findings indicate that itch patients at JHHS ( = 18,753) were more likely to be black compared to white patients (37% vs. 19%, < 0.01) when compared to patients without itch-a trend also noted nationally based on data from NAMCS/NHAMCS (26% vs. 21%, = 0.05). Black itch patients are also more likely to be diagnosed with prurigo nodularis (OR 2.37, < 0.0001), lichen planus (OR 1.22, < 0.0001), and atopic dermatitis OR 1.51, < 0.0001). Female itch patients are more likely to be diagnosed with autoimmune (OR 1.66, < 0.0001) and psychiatric comorbidities (OR 1.2-1.8, < 0.0001) than male itch patients. When compared to black itch patients nationally, white itch patients were more likely to visit a dermatologist (29% vs. 18%, = 0.028). Our data can identify associated conditions and demographic differences but are unable to support a causal relationship. Black and female patients are more likely to present with pruritus, a symptom associated with comorbidities such as prurigo nodularis, lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, and psychiatric conditions.
ISSN:2305-6320
2305-6320
DOI:10.3390/medicines6040098