Prevalence of physical symptoms of itch, pain and fatigue in patients with skin diseases in general practice

Verhoeven, E.W.M.; Kraaimaat, Floris W.; Kerkhof, P.C.M. van de; Weel, Chris van; Duller, P.; Valk, P.G.M. van der; Hoogen, H.J.M. van den; Bor, J.H.J.; Schers, H.J.; Evers, Andrea W. M.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.07916.x

Cited by 109 publications

(128 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…6 Mean (SD) values were calculated for the whole group and for the disease subtypes. In addition, percentages for the previously validated cutoff scores 2 were calculated. The relationship of symptoms to age, comorbidity, time since diagnosis, disease severity, and disease-related quality of life was explored by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients or binary correlations in case of sex, using PϽ.05 as the level of significance (2-sided).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physical Burden of Symptoms in Patients With Localized Scleroderma and Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Kroft

Jong²,

Evers³

2008

Arch Dermatol

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A VAS higher than 20 mm indicated experience of symptoms, while a VAS higher than 50 mm indicated relatively severe symptoms. 2 Diseaserelated quality of life was measured with the 10-item scale of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). 6 Mean (SD) values were calculated for the whole group and for the disease subtypes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Burden of Symptoms in Patients With Localized Scleroderma and Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Kroft

Jong²,

Evers³

2008

Arch Dermatol

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“…than half of the patients with chronic skin conditions report to be experiencing symptoms of itch [1,9]. The definition of itch, 'an unpleasant sensation provoking the desire to scratch', implies the strong correlation between itch and scratching.…”

Section: A U T H O R ' S C O P Y N O T F O R S a L E O R D I S T R Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, patients with chronic itch report lower psychological and social well-being than the general population [2 -4]. Besides itch, skin conditions can also be accompanied by pain [1], for example in patients with chronic ulcera. In addition, eczemas or open wounds caused by scratching can also cause painful fissures in the skin.…”

Section: A U T H O R ' S C O P Y N O T F O R S a L E O R D I S T R Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the influence of psychological factors on the skin has been recognized since a long time, systematic research on psychological factors and treatments has only begun in the last decades. Research shows that people with skin conditions experience more physical symptoms, such as itch, pain and fatigue than the general population [1]. Patients additionally report more anxiety, tension and depressive feelings, and experience social restrictions [2 -4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychological Treatments for Dermatological Conditions

2016

Skin and Psyche

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Abstract:The impact of dermatological conditions on a patient's life is frequently underestimated. Patients with skin conditions experience several physical complaints, including itch, pain and fatigue. Furthermore, in comparison to the general population, patients report a decreased psychological well-being, lowered quality of life and feelings of stigmatization and shame. Psychological treatments are widely used in addition to regular dermatological treatments to improve physical and psychological functioning of patients with chronic skin conditions. These treatments are usually aimed at changing the psychosocial factors that can influence the onset and/or course of skin conditions, such as dysfunctional coping behaviors, itch-scratching problems and stress. There are unimodal interventions in which single treatments are used, for example psychoeducation or relaxation exercises, and multimodal treatments in which a variety of different interventions are applied based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and self-management principles. Furthermore, a distinction can be made between interventions that focus primarily on skin-related psychosocial problems, interventions that focus on itch-scratching problems, and interventions that are focused on psychiatric problems in the dermatological practice. This chapter gives an overview on the psychosocial factors relevant for dermatological conditions, relevant diagnostic methods and the content and scientific evidence of specific psychological treatments in these different categories.

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Psychological Distress in Patients With Morphea and Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Kroft

Jong²,

Evers³

2009

Arch Dermatol

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Objective:To examine the level of psychological distress and factors contributing to distress in patients with morphea or eosinophilic fasciitis.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Dermatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital.Participants: Of 120 patients with morphea or eosinophilic fasciitis diagnosed between December 1, 1994, and July 15, 2007, who were enrolled in the study, only 74 completed questionnaires were suitable for data analysis.Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported responses on the Impact of Chronic Skin Diseases on Daily Life scale measure psychological distress, specifically anxiety and depressed mood.Results: Psychological functioning was generally impaired in patients with skin disease, particularly among patients withgeneralizedmorpheaandeosinophilicfasciitis.Twentyeight patients (38%) were at risk of depression or anxiety. Higher levels of psychological distress were significantly related to greater severity of skin disease; more pain and fatigue; impact of disease on daily life; more perceived stigmatization; illness cognitions of greater helplessness; and less acceptance and less perceived social support.Conclusions: Physical and psychosocial aspects play a substantial role in the quality of life for patients with morphea. Physicians should be encouraged to assess the physical and psychosocial factors when treating patients with sclerotic skin diseases. This approach could improve quality of life and ultimately lead to improved dermatological treatment outcomes.

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Prevalence of physical symptoms of itch, pain and fatigue in patients with skin diseases in general practice

Abstract: Itch and fatigue and, to a somewhat lesser extent, pain have a high prevalence among patients with skin diseases. Clinicians should be encouraged to carefully assess itch, pain and fatigue in patients with skin diseases, and where appropriate focus treatment to these symptoms.

Cited by 109 publications

References 13 publications

Physical Burden of Symptoms in Patients With Localized Scleroderma and Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Physical Burden of Symptoms in Patients With Localized Scleroderma and Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Psychological Treatments for Dermatological Conditions

Psychological Distress in Patients With Morphea and Eosinophilic Fasciitis

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