The Effect of Pruritus and Pain on the Quality of Life

Abstract

Kaşıntı ve Ağrının Yaşam Kalitesi Üzerine EtkisiThe Effect of Pruritus and Pain on the Quality of Life Öz AbstractObjective: Pruritus and pain are disturbing symptoms. They display similar pathogenetic and clinical characteristics and affect the quality of life significantly. However, it is unknown which affects the quality of life more adversely. Our aim is to determine which of the symptoms of pruritus and pain affects the quality of life more in negative way. Methods: Fifty patients with functional pruritus (FP) and fifty patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) were included in the study. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure the severity of pruritus and pain. The World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF-TR was used to evaluate the life quality of the patients. Results: Patients of the FP group of 45 (90%) was female and 5 (10%) was male, meanwhile in the FMS group 49 (98%) was female and 1 (2%) was male. The average disease duration of the patients was 39.9±65.2 months in FP group and 112.9±103.4 months in FMS group. The average VAS scores were 7.9±1.9 in FP group and 7.4±2.1 in FMS group. When the disease duration factor was eliminated and re-evaluated at statistical analysis, the domain scores was found statistically different for both groups (p<0.05) significantly. All domain scores were correlated positively with each other. Conclusion: Pain affects the life quality of individuals more negatively than pruritus. In the treatment of patients, it should not be only aimed to relieve their symptoms but also to improve their quality of life with holistic approach.

Sleep Quality in Dermatologic Patients With a Complaint of Pruritus

“…Other studies have also showed that in adults with atopic dermatitis, difficulty falling asleep and decreased sleep duration due to low sleep quality cause them to experience daytime sleepiness, fatigue and dysfunction [10 and 17]. In their study of the effect of itching and pain on the quality of life, Atış et al, (2017) found that sleep was an important component of the physical activity [18]. In another study, pruritic episodes in functional pruritus were reported to occur during sleep [19].…”