Itch occurs commonly in the primary care setting and is associated with poor quality of life, according to a recent study. Researchers performed a cross-sectional study of 2,076 adults from an outpatient general internal medicine clinic, using an audio computer-assisted self-administered interview. They found:

• The prevalence of itch was 39.9% and increased with age from 33.1% at age 19 to 39 years to 45.9% at age ≥80 years.

• In multivariable models controlled for socio-demographics, even feeling “a little” or “some” distress from itch was significantly associated with lower Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) global physical and mental health T-scores and estimated health utility scores.

• Feeling “quite a lot” of distress or “very much” distress from itch was associated with higher adjusted odds ratios for depressed mood and anhedonia.

• The patient burden of itch was similar to those of pain, constipation, sexual dysfunction, cough, and weight loss.

Citation: Silverberg JI, Hinami K, Trick WE, Cella D. Itch in the general internal medicine setting: A cross-sectional study of prevalence and quality-of-life effects. [Published online ahead of print August 12, 2016]. Am J Clin Dermatol. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0215-3.