Symptoms of depression and anxiety are associated with poorer functional outcomes in chronic pruritus

Cole, Emily F.; Ojeaga, Ashley; Chen, Shuo; Swerlick, Robert A.

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.031

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…17 In terms of skin-related (DLQI) and itch-related (ItchyQoL) impairment of quality of life our population was also within the range of previous studies. 19 However, in contrast to previous studies, 20,21 the level of anxiety and depression (as measured by the HADS-A/D) was not increased in our population. This difference may be explained by the fact that we did not only include patients with chronic itch-which is known to be associated with anxiety and depression [20][21][22] but also patients with acute itch, which may have had only minor negative effects on psychological wellbeing so far.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Itch reduction using immersive virtual reality—An experimental pilot study

Baschong

Spieß

Cattin

et al. 2021

Dermatologic Therapy

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In a previous proof-of-concept study we have demonstrated that visual exposure to specific colors results in pruritic or antipruritic effects. To determine the effect of "antipruritic" colors when using immersive virtual reality (VR) and to assess whether psychometric values correlate with the response to the color exposure. In this crosssectional interventional single-center study, itch patients were exposed to their subjective "antipruritic color" (defined by the Manchester Color Wheel) in a virtual monochromatic room for 10 min using a head-mounted display. Itch intensity rating (0-10 numerical rating scale [NRS]) was repeated at 1-min intervals. Additionally, dermatology life quality index, itch-related quality of life and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires were completed. Twenty-two patients (mean age 51.9 ± 23 years, 13 females) participated in the study. Following color exposure for 10 min itch intensity was significantly reduced compared to baseline (exact Wilcoxon signed-rank test, mdn-NRS 4.5 vs 3.0; z = À3.025, p = 0.001), confirmed by the area under the curve (z = À3.118; p = 0.001). No significant correlation between itch reduction and questionnaire scores was found (Spearman's Rho for all questionnaires). Visual exposure to the "antipruritic color" using immersive VR resulted in a significant decrease in itch intensity. This aligns with previous findings on the influence of colors on itch perception. The response of the intervention appeared independent of psychometric values. Thus, color exposure using immersive VR is a promising, low-cost, rapidly-acting, easily-applicable, non-pharmacological experimental antipruritic method. K E Y W O R D S antipruritic, colors, itch, pruritus, virtual reality 1 | INTRODUCTION "Quod pruritus […] sit tristis sensatio, desiderium scalpendi excitans […]" 1 -The itch […], is [this] unpleasant sensation which elicits the desire to scratch […]. This first definition of itch proposed byHafenreffer in 1660 still holds true to today. 2 Itch (synonymous pruritus) is the commonest skin-related symptom caused by numerous dermatological and non-dermatological conditions. [3][4][5] Chronic pruritus, defined as itch lasting over 6 weeks, has a substantial burden of disease and a negative impact on quality of life comparable to that of chronic pain. 6 Treatment of itch is often challenging and unsatisfactory for several reasons such as involvement of various itch mediators (e.g., psoriasis), 7 multifactorial itch causes in a single patient (e.g., iron deficiency, chronic kidney disease, xeroderma, drugs), latency of the treatment effect (e.g., antipruritic antidepressants, antiinflammatory treatment), lack of evidence (e.g., treatment of pruritus

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Itch reduction using immersive virtual reality—An experimental pilot study

Baschong

Spieß

Cattin

et al. 2021

Dermatologic Therapy

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“…The association between pruritus and depression (5)(6)(7)(8), anxiety (7,8), insomnia (6,(9)(10)(11) and quality of life (QoL) (12,13) has been demonstrated previously in many studies. However, earlier reports have focused mostly on selected patient samples, such as those from dermatology or specified pruritus clinics (6,8) or specific patient groups (e.g. renal patients with pruritus) (14), whereas general population studies concerning the association with pruritus and psychosocial well-being are scarce (1).…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 82%

“…Pruritus is a distressing symptom with extensive impact on functional, social and psychosocial behaviour (4). The association between pruritus and depression (5)(6)(7)(8), anxiety (7,8), insomnia (6,(9)(10)(11) and quality of life (QoL) (12,13) has been demonstrated previously in many studies. However, earlier reports have focused mostly on selected patient samples, such as those from dermatology or specified pruritus clinics (6,8) or specific patient groups (e.g.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 88%

Association between Pruritus and Psychosocial Well-being: A Population-based Study among 6,809 Subjects

et al. 2023

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Pruritus has an extensive impact on functional, social and psychosocial behaviour. The association between pruritus and psychological well-being has mostly been studied among selected patient groups, whereas population-based studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the association between pruritus and insomnia, quality of life, depression and anxiety at the population level in the general population. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2012 to 2013. Study subjects (n = 6,809) belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study participated in a large follow-up study at the age of 45–47 years. They completed an extensive health questionnaire including questions on pruritus and several previously validated questionnaires regarding symptoms of psychosocial well-being. Pruritus affected 19.9% of the study subjects weekly, being more common in women than in men (p < 0.001). A significant association was found between both localized and generalized pruritus and symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety and decreased quality of life. The association was seen even in those with mild psychological symptoms/insomnia, and it affected both sexes. The severity of psychological symptoms increased with increasing frequency of pruritus. In conclusion, pruritus has a multiple effect on psychosocial well-being. Physicians should consider possible psychosocial symptoms in patients with pruritus.

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“…These findings may be due to the chronicity of the pruritus, given the mean disease duration of patients in our study. It was demonstrated that chronic pruritus were associated with depression and anxiety [ 26 , 31 ]. These findings made us think that scabies, which affects QoL negatively like other chronic dermatologic diseases, may also have negative effects on depressiveness and anxiety, and may have effects beyond being a contagious skin disease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scabies Affects Quality of Life in Correlation with Depression and Anxiety

Yıldırım

Öğüt

Erbağcı

et al. 2023

Dermatol Pract Concept

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Introduction: Scabies is a highly contagious disease affects many people worldwide each year and a major public health problem. A small number of studies have shown that scabies causes impairment in the quality of life in adult patients. Objectives: The aims of this study are to assess the impact of scabies on adult patients quality of life (QoL) and evaluate the relationship between depression and anxiety levels and impairment in life quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study included adult patients diagnosed with scabies in our dermatology outpatient clinic. The effect of scabies on QoL was evaluated by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the levels of depression and anxiety were evaluated by Beck Depression Scale (BDS) and Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS). Results: Totally, 85 patients included to the study. QoL of 72.2% of the patients was moderate to extremely large affected. There was a positive correlation between the duration of the disease, the total DLQI score and the severity of the disease impact on QoL (rs= 0.287, P = 0.01 and rs=0.280, P = 0.008, respectively). A positive correlation was found between the number of treatments received and the total DLQI (rs= 0.223, P = 0.042). There was a positive correlation between BDS and BAS, and total DLQI score (rs=0.448 and P = 0.000; rs=0.456 and P = 0.000, respectively). Conclusions: Scabies has a moderate to severe effect on QoL. There was a positive correlation between impairment QoL and anxiety and depression scores.

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Symptoms of depression and anxiety are associated with poorer functional outcomes in chronic pruritus

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Itch reduction using immersive virtual reality—An experimental pilot study

Itch reduction using immersive virtual reality—An experimental pilot study

Association between Pruritus and Psychosocial Well-being: A Population-based Study among 6,809 Subjects

Scabies Affects Quality of Life in Correlation with Depression and Anxiety

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