title: Incidence and determinants of chronic pruritus: a population-based cohort study.
abstract: Epidemiological data on chronic pruritus (> 6 weeks) in the general population are sparse. We aimed to provide data on the incidence and prevalence of chronic pruritus, and identify its determinants based on cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. A cohort of 1,190 participants from a cross-sectional baseline-study (response rate: 57.8%) was followed up after one year. The questionnaire assessed occurrence of chronic pruritus, medical, lifestyle and psychosocial variables. Incident chronic pruritus was defined as reported chronic pruritus at follow-up in those subjects free-of-the-symptom at baseline. Cross-sectional analyses of data from the follow-up assessments addressed potential associations of medical, lifestyle and psychosocial factors with prevalent chronic pruritus. Longitudinal analyses examined sociodemographic factors as potential predictors of incident chronic pruritus. The follow-up response rate was 83.1%. The mean age of subjects was 56 years, and 58% were female. The 12-month cumulative-incidence equalled 7.0% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5.2-9.2%. Lifetime prevalence was 25.5% (95% CI 21.8-27.8%). Incidence was significantly associated with age. Determinants of prevalent chronic pruritus in multi-variable analyses were: liver disease, asthma, eczema and dry skin within the medical domain, an elevated body mass index within the lifestyle domain and higher anxiety scores within the psychosocial domain. Findings suggest a considerable 12-month incidence and lifetime prevalence and provide important directions for future research.
authors: Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Thibautstrasse 3, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Uwe
authors: U
authors: Matterne
authors: Christian J
authors: CJ
authors: Apfelbacher
authors: Lena
authors: L
authors: Vogelgsang
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Loerbroks
authors: Elke
authors: E
authors: Weisshaar
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors