Quality of life, emotional wellbeing and family repercussions in dermatological patients experiencing chronic itching: A pilot study

Abstract

A better understanding of the psychosocial impact of chronic itching could lead to improved intervention strategies. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and characteristics of chronic itching in dermatological patients. The Itch Severity Scale (ISS) was completed by a sample of 201 patients from a Dermatology Outpatient Clinic in Spain and 61.69% (n = 124) of participants recorded a positive score (mean = 8.89, standard deviation = 4.06). The results indicate that chronic itching has significant psychosocial repercussions. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) showed that the negative impact on quality of life was significantly greater for the group that experienced chronic itching (p < 0.001). Scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) revealed that the group with chronic itching had more symptoms associated with anxiety (p = 0.001). No statistically significant differences between the groups with regards to repercussions on the family dynamic were found.