title: Itching in patients with chronic hand eczema: data from the CARPE registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Itching is a leading symptom of chronic hand eczema (CHE) having a great impact on patients. The determinants of itching in CHE are unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We performed a cross-sectional analysis investigating factors associated with the presence and severity of itch in CHE patients from the CARPE registry.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present baseline data on itch in relationship with sociodemographic factors, severity of CHE, atopy, contact allergy, treatment and patient- reported outcomes including health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1,051 patients with CHE, 78.1% reported itching. Significant positive associations with itching were observed for younger age groups (17-25 and 26-45 years), for moderate, severe and very severe CHE and for small/moderate impairment in HRQoL. Atopic skin diathesis, hardly being able to realize treatment recommendations and very or extremely large impairments in HRQoL were associated with itch severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taking the identified variables into account may help identify vulnerable groups most affected by (severe) itch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Social Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology, University Hospital, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruppert
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Apfelbacher
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molin
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Diepgen
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weisshaar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult