BACKGROUND: Pruritus is a frequent symptom in many diseases; its prevalence in German adults is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the prevalence, severity and health care of chronic pruritus in the German working population. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in employees of 144 German companies. Pruritus-specific data were obtained by standardized questions. RESULTS: 11,730 people (53.2% male, 16-70 years, mean = 43.7 years) were suitable for analysis. The point prevalence of chronic pruritus (at least 6 weeks prior to data collection) was 16.8%. The prevalence increased with age from 12.3% (16-30 years) to 20.3% (61-70 years). A quarter of the affected persons had suffered from pruritus for >5 years, 47% had never sought medical advice, and 94% had not undergone any treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pruritus is a prevalent symptom in the working age population. A high proportion of people affected are not medically treated.
BACKGROUND:Pruritus is a frequent symptom in many diseases; its prevalence in German adults is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the prevalence, severity and health care of chronic pruritus in the German working population. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in employees of 144 German companies. Pruritus-specific data were obtained by standardized questions. RESULTS: 11,730 people (53.2% male, 16-70 years, mean = 43.7 years) were suitable for analysis. The point prevalence of chronic pruritus (at least 6 weeks prior to data collection) was 16.8%. The prevalence increased with age from 12.3% (16-30 years) to 20.3% (61-70 years). A quarter of the affected persons had suffered from pruritus for >5 years, 47% had never sought medical advice, and 94% had not undergone any treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Chronic pruritus is a prevalent symptom in the working age population. A high proportion of people affected are not medically treated.
Authors: Antoinette I M van Laarhoven; Ineke M van der Sman-Mauriks; A Rogier T Donders; Mathilde C Pronk; Peter C M van de Kerkhof; Andrea W M Evers Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2014-12-01 Impact factor: 8.551
Authors: S Ständer; C Blome; B Breil; P Bruland; U Darsow; M Dugas; A Evers; F Fritz; M Metz; N Q Phan; U Raap; A Reich; G Schneider; S Steinke; J Szepietowski; E Weisshaar; M Augustin Journal: Hautarzt Date: 2012-07 Impact factor: 0.751