Occurrence, chronicity and intensity of itch in a clinical consecutive sample of patients with skin diseases: Results from a multi-center study in 13 European countries

Schut, W.; Dalgard, F.J.; Halvorsen, J.A.; Gieler, U.; Lien, L.; Tomas Aragones, L.; Poot, F.; Jemec, G.B.E.; Misery, L.; Kemény, L.; Sampogna, F.; Middendorp, H. van; Balieva, F.; Linder, D.; Szepietowski, J.C.; Lvov, A.; Marron, S.E; Altunay, I.K.; Finlay, A.Y.; Salek, S.; Kupfer, J.

doi:doi:10.2340/00015555-3040

Itch is an unpleasant symptom, affecting many dermatological patients. Studies investigating the occurrence and intensity of itch in dermatological patients often focus on a single skin disease and omit a control group with healthy skin. The aim of this multi-centre study was to assess the occurrence, chronicity and intensity (visual analogue scale 0–10) of itch in patients with different skin diseases and healthy-skin controls. Out of 3,530 dermatological patients, 54.3% reported itch (mean ± standard deviation itch intensity 5.5 ± 2.5), while out of 1,094 healthy-skin controls 8% had itch (3.6 ± 2.3). Chronic itch was reported by 36.9% of the patients and 4.7% of the healthy-skin controls. Itch was most frequent (occurrence rates higher than 80%) in patients with unclassified pruritus, prurigo and related conditions, atopic dermatitis and hand eczema. However, many patients with psychodermatological conditions and naevi also reported itch (occurrence rates higher than 19%).
Show moreItch is an unpleasant symptom, affecting many dermatological patients. Studies investigating the occurrence and intensity of itch in dermatological patients often focus on a single skin disease and omit a control group with healthy skin. The aim of this multi-centre study was to assess the occurrence, chronicity and intensity (visual analogue scale 0–10) of itch in patients with different skin diseases and healthy-skin controls. Out of 3,530 dermatological patients, 54.3% reported itch (mean ± standard deviation itch intensity 5.5 ± 2.5), while out of 1,094 healthy-skin controls 8% had itch (3.6 ± 2.3). Chronic itch was reported by 36.9% of the patients and 4.7% of the healthy-skin controls. Itch was most frequent (occurrence rates higher than 80%) in patients with unclassified pruritus, prurigo and related conditions, atopic dermatitis and hand eczema. However, many patients with psychodermatological conditions and naevi also reported itch (occurrence rates higher than 19%). Show less

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Occurrence, chronicity and intensity of itch in a clinical consecutive sample of patients with skin diseases: Results from a multi-center study in 13 European countries