Association between Pruritus and Psychosocial Well-being: A Population-based Study among 6,809 Subjects

Pruritus has an extensive impact on functional, so-cial and psychosocial behaviour. The association bet-ween pruritus and psychological well-being has mostly been studied among selected patient groups, whereas population-based studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the association between pru-ritus and insomnia, quality of life, depression and anx-iety at the population level in the general population. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2012 to 2013. Study subjects (n = 6,809) belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study parti-cipated in a large follow-up study at the age of 45-47 years. They completed an extensive health questionn-aire including questions on pruritus and several pre-viously validated questionnaires regarding symptoms of psychosocial well-being. Pruritus affected 19.9% of the study subjects weekly, being more common in women than in men (p < 0.001). A significant associa-tion was found between both localized and generalized pruritus and symptoms of insomnia, depression, anx-iety and decreased quality of life. The association was seen even in those with mild psychological symptoms/ insomnia, and it affected both sexes. The severity of psychological symptoms increased with increasing frequency of pruritus. In conclusion, pruritus has a multiple effect on psychosocial well-being. Physicians should consider possible psychosocial symptoms in patients with pruritus.

Automated summary

Pruritus has a significant impact on functional, social and psychosocial behavior. This study aimed to investigate the association between pruritus and insomnia, quality of life, depression, and anxiety at the population level. A population-based study was conducted, involving 6,809 subjects, and it was found that pruritus affected 19.9% of the study participants weekly, with a higher prevalence in women. There was a significant association between pruritus and symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety, and decreased quality of life.