Effect of the Pruritus on the Quality of Life: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

BackgroundPruritus affects the quality of life (QoL) in the patients. However, little is known of the impacts of itching on the QoL in the literature.ObjectiveIn this study, a questionnaire eliciting specific responses about pruritus was used to determine the effect of itching and its severity on QoL in chronic pruritic patients.MethodsOne hundred ten adult patients with chronic pruritus were surveyed. Once itch severity had been self-reported by patients, together with Skindex-29, they have been given the 18-item Pruritus-related Life Quality Index (PLQI) questionnaire, which was used to generated the new index.ResultsSignificant correlations have been found between the pruritus severity score of participants and their total Skindex-29 (p<0.001) with its function, emotion and symptom subscale scores (p<0.001 for each). Also, significant correlations were evident between total PLQI (p<0.001) and its psychosocial negativities, difficulties in everyday activities and social live subscale scores (p<0.001 for each). In particular, the emotion subscale of Skindex-29 (p=0.02) and psychosocial negativity subscale of PLQI (p=0.02) were significantly high in psychopathologic patients. A highly positive statistical correlation between Skindex-29 and PLQI scales was evident (r=0.845, p<0.001). For reliability, Cronbach's coefficient a coefficients were 0.931 for the Skindex-29 scale and 0.918 for the PLQI scale.ConclusionThe results demonstrate that chronic pruritus appreciably reduces the QoL. PLQI could be used in the development of new questionnaires for determining the QoL of patients with chronic itch.

Effect of Aromatherapy on Uremic Pruritus among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

“…The distribution domain including 15 body part item. Scoring system :( 0-5) indicates no pruritus, (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) indicates mild pruritus, (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) indicates moderate pruritus and (25-35) indicates severe pruritus.…”

“…The preparation of peppermint oil and sunflower oil done by faculty staff member specialized in herbal medicine department from faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University. Aromatherapy consists of mix between two oils includes peppermint oil and sunflower oil [19]. The total amount after preparation stored in 50 ml plastic clean container .…”

Practice Gaps in Pruritus

“…3,4 Previous studies found that itch causes just as much quality-of-life disturbance as does pain. 5 Chronic pruritus negatively effects all patients' activities of daily living and their emotional well-being.…”

“…5 Chronic pruritus negatively effects all patients' activities of daily living and their emotional well-being. 3,4 Despite itch being a commonly reported symptom, 6 it is not routinely assessed by most clinicians. Patients often think that health professionals do not take their itch seriously, 7 which may result in inadequate treatment and poor patient satisfaction.…”

Research letter: Impact of pruritus on quality of life—A systematic review

“…Multiple PRO instruments were shown to be good assessments of itch, including the Dermatology Life Quality Index, 2 ItchyQOL, 3 and Skindex. 4 Each has strengths and weaknesses, and the decision about which to use can be based on personal preference by the clinician. These can be completed in the waiting or examination room before seeing the clinician.…”