Itch in the General Internal Medicine Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence and Quality-of-Life Effects.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Itch is a well-established symptom in cutaneous disease. However, little is known about the burden of itch outside the dermatology setting.

Purpose

To determine the prevalence and impact of itch on quality of life (QOL) in the general internal medicine setting.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 2076 adults from an outpatient general internal medicine clinic, using an audio computer-assisted self-administered interview. A history of itch (acute or chronic) and other physical symptoms in the past week, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 10-item Global Health Questionnaire scores, and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 scores were assessed.

Results

The prevalence of itch was 39.9 % and increased with age from 33.

SUBMITTER: Silverberg JI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5216170 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature