Bollemeijer Juliette F, De Veer Mathijs R, Weisshaar Elke, Brouwer Willem P, Lahousse Lies, Gunn David A, Nijsten Tamar E C, Pardo Luba M
Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Acta Derm Venereol. 2025 Nov 10;105:adv44313. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v105.44313.
Chronic pruritus is a burdensome condition that frequently affects older adults, yet its epidemiology and impact on quality of life in the ageing population remain underexplored. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of chronic pruritus, its associated factors, and pruritus-specific quality of life in 4,474 participants (median age: 72 years; range: 48-99, 58.8% female) from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Questionnaires assessed current, 12-month, and lifetime chronic pruritus, along with the ItchyQoL. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with chronic pruritus, and linear regression assessed factors linked to pruritus-specific quality of life. Principal component analysis explored the ItchyQoL's dimensional structure in this older population. Chronic pruritus prevalence was 8.6% (current), 10.5% (12-month), and 18.6% (lifetime). Female sex, older age, smoking, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, self-reported dry skin, asthma, steatotic liver disease, polyneuropathy, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and poor sleep were associated with higher odds of chronic pruritus. Among those with current chronic pruritus, pruritus-specific quality of life was moderately impaired, with the greatest impairment associated with atopic dermatitis and psychological symptoms. Principal component analysis identified 4 ItchyQoL dimensions, extending beyond the original 3 domains. Given the cross-sectional design, directionality cannot be inferred. These findings highlight chronic pruritus as a prevalent, multifactorial condition in older adults, with significant psychological impact and implications for multidisciplinary management.
慢性瘙痒是一种令人负担沉重的病症，经常影响老年人，但其流行病学以及对老年人群生活质量的影响仍未得到充分研究。这项横断面研究调查了鹿特丹基于人群的研究中4474名参与者（年龄中位数：72岁；范围：48 - 99岁，女性占58.8%）的慢性瘙痒患病率、相关因素以及瘙痒特异性生活质量。通过问卷调查评估了当前、过去12个月以及终生慢性瘙痒情况，同时还评估了瘙痒生活质量问卷（ItchyQoL）。多变量逻辑回归确定了与慢性瘙痒相关的因素，线性回归评估了与瘙痒特异性生活质量相关的因素。主成分分析探索了该老年人群中瘙痒生活质量问卷的维度结构。慢性瘙痒患病率分别为：当前患病率8.6%，过去12个月患病率10.5%，终生患病率18.6%。女性、年龄较大、吸烟、特应性皮炎、银屑病、自我报告的皮肤干燥、哮喘、脂肪性肝病、多发性神经病、抑郁症状、焦虑以及睡眠不佳与慢性瘙痒的较高几率相关。在当前患有慢性瘙痒的人群中，瘙痒特异性生活质量受到中度损害，其中与特应性皮炎和心理症状相关的损害最为严重。主成分分析确定了4个瘙痒生活质量维度，超出了最初的3个领域。鉴于该研究为横断面设计，无法推断其方向性。这些发现凸显了慢性瘙痒在老年人中是一种普遍存在的多因素病症，具有重大的心理影响，并对多学科管理具有启示意义。
