1. Reliability and Longitudinal Course of Itch/Scratch Severity in Adults With Atopic Dermatitis.
- Author
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Hong MR, Lei D, Yousaf M, Chavda R, Gabriel S, Janmohamed SR, and Silverberg JI
- Subjects
- Adult, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult, Dermatitis, Atopic complications, Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Pruritus diagnosis, Pruritus etiology, Severity of Illness Index
- Abstract
Background: Itch is a complex and burdensome symptom in atopic dermatitis (AD). Severity of scratching/excoriation (SCORAD-scratch) has been found to be a valid measure of itch in AD. However, little is known about the longitudinal course of scratching/excoriations in AD., Methods: A prospective, dermatology practice-based study was performed of adults with AD (N = 399). The patients were assessed at baseline and approximately 6, 12, 18, and 24 months., Results: Severity of excoriations correlated best with the Numerical Rating Scale-worst itch (Spearman correlation, ρ = 0.50), followed by a Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Itch Questionnaire-scratching behavior T score (ρ = 0.48), Numerical Rating Scale-average itch (ρ = 0.41), relative frequency of itch (ρ = 0.36), and frequency of itch from eczema (ρ = 0.29, all P < 0.0001). Scratching severity showed good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient range = 0.62-0.69). Overall, 30.6% and 5.5% had moderate (2) or severe (3) SCORAD-scratch scores. Among patients with baseline moderate (2) or severe (3) SCORAD-scratch scores, 18.9% and 13.6% continued to have moderate or severe scores at 1 or more follow-up visits. In repeated-measures regression models, persistent SCORAD-scratch scores were associated with baseline severity of excoriations (adjusted β [95% confidence interval] = 0.51 [0.37 to 0.65]), Medicaid insurance (-0.35 [-0.65 to -0.04]), and Eczema Area and Severity Index scores (0.03 [0.02 to 0.04])., Conclusions: Adult AD patients had a heterogeneous longitudinal course with fluctuating severity of excoriations., Competing Interests: The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2021 American Contact Dermatitis Society. All Rights Reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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