Characteristics of Pruritus in Relation to Self-assessed Severity of Atopic Dermatitis

• Main Authors: Flavien Huet (Author), Marie-Sarah Faffa (Author), Florence Poizeau (Author), Stéphanie Merhand (Author), Laurent Misery (Author), Emilie Brenaut (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Medical Journals Sweden, 2018-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 0001-5555; 1651-2057; 10.2340/00015555-3053
• Keywords: atopic dermatitis; pruritus; questionnaire; itch; web questionnaire; PO-SCORAD; 5-D itch scale; Dermatology; RL1-803
• Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica, Vol 99, Iss 3, Pp 279-283 (2018)

The objective of this study was to explore characteristics of pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD) in relation to the severity of AD. A web-questionnaire was used, which included the Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis index, the 5-D itch scale and the Brest questionnaire. A total of 170 participants were included (86.5% women, mean age 30.9 years). Severity of AD was mild for 8.2% of patients, moderate for 38.2% and severe for 53.5%. Mean 5-D itch scale was 13.2. The mean intensity of pruritus was 5.8, and mean sleep loss was 4.7 (from 0 to 10). The participants frequently described burning (61.8%) and stinging (58.8%); these symptoms suggest a neuropathic component. Pruritus was worse in severe AD compared with moderate AD, exhibiting a higher impact on sleep and more associated symptoms. The majority of participants reported sleep disturbance as a result of pruritus. The characteristics of pruritus varied depending on the severity of AD.