Psoriatic itch from the patients’ perspective: a cross-sectional study

Introduction:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects mental health and is often associated with itch.

Aim:
To investigate the influence of itch on the symptoms of anxiety, depression, quality of life, and stigmatization in psoriasis patients.

Material and methods:
The studied group included 106 adults with psoriasis (34% females; mean age: 42.1 ±13.0 years). Disease severity was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The itch intensity was assessed by a numerical rating scale (NRS) and 4-Item Itch Questionnaire (4-IIQ). Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaires were utilized to estimate the severity of depression and anxiety, respectively, and so was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), while stigmatization was studied by the 6-Item Stigmatization Scale (6-ISS).

Results:
Psoriasis patients with itch scored significantly higher (p = 0.037) in HADS total score and DLQI (p < 0.001) than those without itch. Itch NRS correlated significantly with the HADS total score (p = 0.027), GAD-7 (p = 0.008), PHQ-9 (p = 0.008), and DLQI (p = 0.001).

Conclusions:
Itch significantly impacts the quality of life and well-being of patients with psoriasis.