title: [Psychosomatic aspects of prurigo nodularis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article gives an overview of the theoretical background and the empirical research concerning psychosomatic aspects of prurigo nodularis (PN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature research in PubMed with the search terms "prurigo nodularis", "nodular prurigo", "psych*"; clinical experience and research of the authors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although reviews on PN frequently mention psychosomatic aspects, there is little empirical research concerning the subject. Psychosomatic aspects of PN may play a role in (1) the etiology of the chronic pruritus; (2) scratching, which leads to the typical nodules of PN; (3) the consequences of the chronic pruritus, the scratching and the skin lesions; (4) comorbidity. There is evidence for higher psychic comorbidity and higher psychopathology (anxiety, depression) in PN patients than in healthy controls, but PN patients were comparable to patients with other pruritic dermatoses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased levels of psychopathological problems and comorbidities also have been found in other dermatoses; they are not specific for PN. Because all of the research on this topic is cross-sectional, we cannot be sure whether these aspects are etiological factors or consequences of PN or independent comorbidities. Nevertheless, psychosomatic aspects should be considered in diagnosis and treatment of PN patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Domagkstr. 22, 48149, Münster, Deutschland, schneig@mednet.uni-muenster.de.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hockmann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stumpf
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011536:Prurigo / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*
references.citation: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2000 Mar;14(2):75-82
references.pmid: 10972090
references.citation: J Dermatolog Treat. 2011 Aug;22(4):211-4
references.pmid: 20666670
references.citation: Clin Exp Dermatol. 2007 Mar;32(2):201-2
references.pmid: 17244343
references.citation: J Dermatolog Treat. 2013 Dec;24(6):458-62
references.pmid: 23767411
references.citation: Br J Dermatol. 2006 Jan;154(1):61-6
references.pmid: 16403095
references.citation: Australas J Dermatol. 2005 Nov;46(4):211-18; quiz 219-20
references.pmid: 16197418
references.citation: Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5(2):85-95
references.pmid: 15109273
references.citation: Dermatol Ther. 2008 Jan-Feb;21(1):42-6
references.pmid: 18318884
references.citation: Clin Exp Dermatol. 2006 Nov;31(6):762-7
references.pmid: 17040260
references.citation: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 May;27(5):550-7
references.pmid: 22364653
references.citation: J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2010 May;8(5):361-72; quiz 373
references.pmid: 20163503
references.citation: Br J Dermatol. 1985 Oct;113(4):431-9
references.pmid: 4063179