WEDNESDAY, Sept. 27, 2023 -- Itching, sleep disturbance, and other symptoms of prurigo nodularis (PN) impact quality of life, according to a study published online Sept. 20 in JAMA Dermatology.

Danielle Rodriguez, Ph.D., from Evidera in Seattle, and colleagues explored patient perspectives on their PN symptoms and examined the impacts of the condition based on one-on-one qualitative telephone interviews held with 21 English-speaking U.S. adults with a confirmed diagnosis of PN, severe pruritus, and moderate-to-severe sleep disturbance.

The researchers found that all patients reported itch, PN-associated pain, bleeding or scabbing, and dry skin. Lumps or bumps, having a crust on the skin, burning, stinging, lesions or sores, skin discoloration, and raw skin were also frequently reported (95, 95, 90, 90, 86, 86, and 81 percent, respectively). Fifteen of 17 participants who indicated what their worse symptoms were identified itching as the worst or one of the worst symptoms. Changes in sleep, daily life, feelings or mood, relationships, social life, and work or school were the most frequently reported impacts of PN for quality of life (100, 100, 95, 95, 81, and 71 percent, respectively). The worst impact of PN overall was its link with impaired feelings or mood.

"These findings may also be useful for patient-centric decision-making in clinical practice," the authors write. "We plan to build on the present findings by developing a conceptual disease model integrating the qualitative insights we have gained and phase 3 trial data."

Several authors disclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Galderma, which funded the study and paid Evidera to design and conduct the study.