title: Factors mediating the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic pruritus is a common problem with a deleterious effect on quality of life. The factors mediating the relationship between chronic pruritus and quality of life are poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the factors that mediate the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study based on a nationwide telephone survey of US military veterans sampled from the Veterans Hospital Patient Database. Participants were veterans who agreed to participate and were found to have chronic pruritus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical significance of predictor variables (characteristics of patients and their chronic pruritus) in multivariate analysis using ItchyQoL scores as response variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 6000 veterans telephoned, 1075 consented to participate; 405 of these had chronic pruritus. Factors that mediated the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life were demographic characteristics (age [P = .007], race [P = .05], marital status [P = .04]), personality (extroversion [P = .03], neuroticism [P = .01]), pruritus characteristics (severity [P < .001], duration [P = .01], frequency [P < .001], location [P = .005]), and possible etiology (cutaneous vs systemic [P = .03]). Notable factors not found significant include sex (P = .98) and socioeconomic variables (education level [P > .99], employment status [P = .53], income [P = .62]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The multitude of factors that significantly influence the impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life demonstrates the complex nature of this relationship. A better appreciation of these factors will improve the clinical evaluation and treatment of chronic pruritus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Emir
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Veledar
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia2Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Suephy C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D014728:Veterans