Zalewski Adam, Krajewski Piotr K, Szepietowski Jacek C
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland.
J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 21;12(13):4198. doi: 10.3390/jcm12134198.
Hand eczema (HE) is a frequent chronic inflammatory dermatosis. Itch and pain are considered two of the most common and burdensome symptoms of the disease. Yet, the data related to these symptoms are still limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics of itch and pain in adults suffering from HE.
The study group comprised 100 adult HE patients. An original questionnaire designed by the authors was used to survey the patients. It included questions regarding demographic characteristics such as the duration of the disease, exacerbation count, past diagnostics and treatment, as well as atopic predispositions. Additionally, the itch and pain intensity (numerical rating scale-NRS) during '3 days prior to the study' and the 'entire disease' period was implemented. The clinical assessment of the disease severity was performed according to two specific measurement instruments: Investigator Global Assessment for Chronic Hand Eczema (IGA-CHE) scale and Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI). To assess patient quality of life (QoL), the DLQI tool was used and to determine the level of stigmatization and for its impact on patients' life the 6-Item Stigmatization Scale (6-ISS) was employed.
Within the period of 3 days prior to the examination, itch was reported by 81.0% of patients ( = 81), whereas 53.0% ( = 53) of them experienced pain. Both symptoms were reported more frequently in females (itch: = 0.022; pain: = 0.033). When sexes were compared, females reached higher scores in both IGA-CHE and HECSI. Itch and pain intensity correlated positively with disease severity. The intensity of itch and pain significantly influences HE patients' QoL. A positive correlation between the 6-ISS score and the intensity of itch in the 'last 3 days' period was revealed (r = 0.221; = 0.027).
Itch and pain are common symptoms in HE patients, significantly contributing to the feeling of stigmatization. Providing characteristics of itch and pain may improve HE management. Symptom-decreasing treatment would definitely have a positive influence on patients' well-being.
手部湿疹（HE）是一种常见的慢性炎症性皮肤病。瘙痒和疼痛被认为是该疾病最常见且最令人困扰的两种症状。然而，与这些症状相关的数据仍然有限。本研究的目的是评估成年手部湿疹患者的瘙痒和疼痛特征。
研究组包括100名成年手部湿疹患者。使用作者设计的原始问卷对患者进行调查。问卷包括有关人口统计学特征的问题，如疾病持续时间、病情加重次数、既往诊断和治疗情况，以及特应性易感性。此外，还采用了“研究前3天”和“整个疾病期”的瘙痒和疼痛强度（数字评分量表-NRS）。根据两种特定的测量工具对疾病严重程度进行临床评估：慢性手部湿疹研究者整体评估（IGA-CHE）量表和手部湿疹严重指数（HECSI）。为评估患者的生活质量（QoL），使用了DLQI工具，并采用6项污名化量表（6-ISS）来确定污名化程度及其对患者生活的影响。
在检查前3天内，81.0%（n = 81）的患者报告有瘙痒，而其中53.0%（n = 53）的患者经历过疼痛。两种症状在女性中报告的频率更高（瘙痒：P = 0.022；疼痛：P = 0.033）。比较性别时，女性在IGA-CHE和HECSI中得分更高。瘙痒和疼痛强度与疾病严重程度呈正相关。瘙痒和疼痛强度显著影响手部湿疹患者的生活质量。在“最后3天”期间，6-ISS评分与瘙痒强度之间存在正相关（r = 0.221；P = 0.027）。
瘙痒和疼痛是手部湿疹患者的常见症状，显著加重了污名化感。提供瘙痒和疼痛的特征可能会改善手部湿疹的管理。减轻症状的治疗肯定会对患者的幸福感产生积极影响。
