Patients' perspective of pruritus in chronic plaque psoriasis: a questionnaire-based study

Background  Pruritus in psoriasis patients has not been regarded as a major symptom. Objective  To study the pattern of pruritus in chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods  A questionnaire was sent out to 109 patients with a diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis, who attended our outpatient departments du...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2008-07, Vol.22 (7), p.822-826
Main Authors: Amatya, B, Wennersten, G, Nordlind, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Topical
Adult
Chronic Disease
Female
Humans
Male
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Middle Aged
Outpatients - psychology
Phototherapy
pruritus
Pruritus - drug therapy
Pruritus - etiology
Pruritus - psychology
psoriasis
Psoriasis - complications
Psoriasis - drug therapy
Psoriasis - psychology
Quality of Life
questionnaire
Steroids - administration & dosage
Stress, Psychological - complications
Stress, Psychological - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Sweating
Vitamin D - administration & dosage
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Summary:Background  Pruritus in psoriasis patients has not been regarded as a major symptom. Objective  To study the pattern of pruritus in chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods  A questionnaire was sent out to 109 patients with a diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis, who attended our outpatient departments during the period of January 2006 to January 2007. Results  Out of 109 patients, 80 patients (74%) answered the questionnaire. Pruritus was found in 80% of the patients, with an intensity of 5.2 ± 2.6 (±SD) using a visual analogue scale (0–10). The frequency and intensity of pruritus were higher in women. Lower leg and scalp were reported to be the most commonly affected sites. Major aggravating factors for pruritus were stress and dryness of skin. Sun, sleep and vacation could relieve pruritus. The most common antipruritic treatments used by the patients were topical steroids, topical vitamin D, emollients and ultraviolet light therapy, whereas antihistamines were used by a small number of patients. Mood, concentration and sleep were negatively affected by pruritus. Conclusion  Pruritus is a common symptom in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.
ISSN:0926-9959
1468-3083
1468-3083
DOI:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02591.x