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Background: Black and geriatric patients were reported in small scale studies to have more intense chronic pruritus (CP). Studies comparing itch across geriatric racial groups are lacking., Objectives: To compare the prevalence of CP in Black and White inpatients ≥ 65 years old as well as the top primary diagnoses of these populations., Methods: We used data from the National Inpatient Sample from 2016-2019 to analyze CP prevalence and ICD10-CM to identify diseases. The top five primary diagnoses were calculated for a subpopulation with CP. Sample characteristics were described, and the data was pooled and analyzed using IBM SPSS ® Complex Sample modules., Results: Among hospitalized Black inpatients ≥ 65 years old, the prevalence of CP was 0.26% while in the White cohort it was 0.22%. The top five primary diagnoses in the Black population with itch were sepsis (4.2%); hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with heart failure (HF) and stage 1-4 CKD, or unspecified CKD (4.1%); acute kidney failure (4.0%); hypertensive heart and CKD with HF with stage 5 CKD, or end-stage renal disease (2.1%); and hypertensive heart disease with HF (1.7%). The top five primary diagnoses in the White population were sepsis (4.25%); acute kidney failure (3.0%); hypertensive heart and CKD with HF and stage 1-4 CKD, or unspecified CKD (2.5%); cellulitis of left lower limb (1.9%); and unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee (1.9%)., Conclusions: Geriatric hospitalized Black patients demonstrated a higher prevalence of chronic itch compared with the White cohort, which may be related to the higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease in different stages of severity in this population.

With the increasing incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the U.S., the highest prevalence of AD being found in Hispanic countries, and the rising Hispanic-American population, educational resources on eczema focused on Spanish-speaking populations are needed more than ever. As such, the primary goal of this project was to assess the beneficial impact of an educational intervention conducted through a virtual platform for Hispanic individuals living with atopic dermatitis. Utilizing WhatsApp, the study enrolled 55 participants diagnosed with AD and/or parents of children diagnosed with AD. Participants were enrolled in a seven-day educational module with daily topics on AD health knowledge. A health knowledge survey was administered before the educational program, upon completion of the program, and one month after completion. The program found a 14% increase in AD health knowledge upon completion of the program ( p < 0.001). Most importantly, there was no significant difference found between the health knowledge survey submitted at program completion and one month after completion, signaling that health knowledge taught through the course was successfully retained by participants ( p = 0.29). Qualitative themes involving atopic disease were additionally explored through group discussions, including mental health and peer stigma. This study is the first of its kind in dermatology utilizing the WhatsApp format. The success of retained health knowledge regarding AD demonstrates that future virtual endeavors can be effective and accessible methods of patient education overall for populations that might not have ease of access to major medical centers.