Pruritus characteristics in a large Italian cohort of psoriatic patients

Abstract

Background Psoriasis (Ps) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease associated with pruritus in 64–98% of patients. However, few modestly sized studies assess factors associated with psoriatic pruritus. Objective To investigate factors associated with Ps pruritus intensity. Methods Psoriasis patients 18 years or older seen in one of 155 centres in Italy between September 2005 and 2009 were identified from the Italian PsoCare registry. Patients without cutaneous psoriasis and those with missed information on pruritus were excluded. Results We identified 10 802 patients, with a mean age 48.8 ± 14.3 years. Mild itch was present in 33.2% of patients, moderate in 34.4%, severe in 18.7% and very severe in 13.7%. Higher itch intensity was associated with female gender, lower educational attainment compared to university degree, pustular psoriasis, psoriasis on the head, face, palmoplantar areas, folds and genitalia, more severe disease, disease duration <15 years, and no or few prior systemic treatments. Limitations Effects of specific medication on itch were not assessed. Conclusions Pruritus should be evaluated during psoriasis visits, and physicians should be aware of patients at higher risk for itch. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of medications on itch, and establish therapy for psoriasis patients with persistent itch.

Nanodermatology‐based solutions for psoriasis: State‐of‐the art and future prospects

“…To date, the role of social, environmental and behavioral factors, which may modulate the disease (Damiani, Conic, Cazzaniga, Naldi, & Network, )–such as, for instance, diet–has not been adequately studied (Adawi et al, ; Damiani et al, ; Phan et al, ). For example, although some types of diet such as omega3 rich diets may reduce the incidence and the severity of the disease, it remains unclear whether any intervention on diet may have relevant positive outcomes at individual and/or public health level (Yousefzadeh, Mahmoudi, Banihashemi, Rastin, & Azad, ).…”

“…To date, the role of social, environmental and behavioral factors, which may modulate the disease (Damiani, Conic, Cazzaniga, Naldi, & Network, 2019)-such as, for instance, diet-has not been adequately studied Phan et al, 2018).…”

Molecular Aspects of Pruritus Pathogenesis in Psoriasis

“…Pruritus in subjects with psoriasis most often appears at night and in the evening, but less frequently in the morning or around noon. According to various studies, pruritus causes difficulty in falling asleep in approximately 50–66% of patients [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Approximately 70% of patients experience itching at the sites of the lesions, in the remaining 30% it also affects unchanged skin [ 1 , 3 ].…”

“…According to various studies, pruritus causes difficulty in falling asleep in approximately 50–66% of patients [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Approximately 70% of patients experience itching at the sites of the lesions, in the remaining 30% it also affects unchanged skin [ 1 , 3 ]. More than 70% of patients experience itching on a daily basis [ 1 , 3 ].…”

“…Approximately 70% of patients experience itching at the sites of the lesions, in the remaining 30% it also affects unchanged skin [ 1 , 3 ]. More than 70% of patients experience itching on a daily basis [ 1 , 3 ]. The most important factors that exacerbate itching in psoriasis patients are dry skin and emotional stress, but other factors also may play a significant role [ 4 , 6 ].…”