Treatment and burden of disease in a cohort of patients with prurigo nodularis: A survey-based study

Abstract

Prurigo nodularis is a pruritic dermatosis with poor treatment options. To describe treatment patterns, co-morbidities, pruritus, and quality of life a survey was administered to 92 patients with prurigo nodularis. A total of 52 patients completed the survey. The most frequently used treatments were topical corticoste-roids, which were prescribed to 49/52 patients, with positive effect in 13/49. A total of 46/52 patients were treated with ultraviolet B, and 9/46 reported a positive effect. A positive effect was reported for topical corti-costeroids under occlusion in 21/40, for zinc dressing treatment in 17/37, for steroid injection in 9/14, for methotrexate in 5/16, and for thalidomide in 4/12 of treated patients. Thirty-six patients reported a Pitts-burgh Sleep Quality Index >5, indicating poor sleep. Patients with prurigo nodularis are severely bothered by pruritus negatively affecting quality of life. Various treatments are prescribed; most frequently topical corticosteroids and ultraviolet B. Surprisingly, patients reported topical corticosteroids under occlusion, zinc-dressing treatment and steroid injection as the most effective.