title: Chronic pruritus in HIV-positive patients in the southeastern United States: its prevalence and effect on quality of life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of chronic pruritus in HIV-positive patients is an underevaluated topic in the United States. The characteristics, severity, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with HIV and chronic pruritus have not been well documented using validated tools.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to assess the prevalence and intensity of chronic pruritus and its effect on QOL in HIV-positive patients in a US population.
  
  
  METHODS
  HIV-positive patients (n = 201) were asked to complete a sociodemographic data form and 2 itch questionnaires. Patients with itching rated their itch intensity on a numeric visual analog scale. Laboratory parameters were obtained from patients' medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of chronic itch in the study group was 45% with an average visual analog scale score of 5.93 during an itch episode. Patients with high visual analog scale score had significantly decreased QOL. Patients with HIV reported greater negative impact of pruritus on daily lives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the cross-sectional design, this study demonstrates an association between HIV and pruritus but cannot prove causation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with HIV surveyed in a large clinic in the southeastern United States have a high prevalence of pruritus; HIV pruritus has a significant effect on QOL and itch is the most common skin manifestation found in this population.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem.
authors: Shivani B
authors: SB
authors: Kaushik
authors: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem.
authors: Felipe B
authors: FB
authors: Cerci
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem.
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: Miracle
authors: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem.
authors: Achyut
authors: A
authors: Pokharel
authors: Division of Dermatology, Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta; Department of Dermatology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta.
authors: Suephy C
authors: SC
authors: Chen
authors: Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore.
authors: Yiong Huak
authors: YH
authors: Chan
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem.
authors: Aimee
authors: A
authors: Wilkin
authors: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem. Electronic address: Gil.Yosipovitch@tuhs.temple.edu.
authors: Gil
authors: G
authors: Yosipovitch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; chronic pruritus; quality of life