An in-depth assessment of the impact of pruritus on health-related quality of life of patients with mycosis fungoides/sézary syndrome

To quantify pruritus and assess its impact on the quality of life of patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), investigators at 2 centers conducted in-depth interviews of MF/SS patients aged ≥18 years who experienced pruritus associated with their disease. The relevance of a dermatologic-specific health-related quality-of-life instrument, Skindex-16, was also assessed. Among 19 patients who were interviewed, the most common effects were self-consciousness about their physical appearance and frustration and worry about the disease worsening. The majority of patients cited pruritus as the most bothersome physical symptom they experienced, with roughly half of the participants indicating that their sleep had been negatively affected because of itching. Other effects cited were embarrassment about scratching in public settings and the need to avoid potential triggers of itching, such as exposure to the sun or certain types of clothing. Patients found the measures of pruritus severity easy to complete, except for estimating the number of days they experienced itching. Skindex-16 was highly relevant for these patients. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Duke Scholars

Author Elise Arline Olsen Dermatology