Sensitive Skin in the Indian Population: An Epidemiological Approach

Sensitive skin is a very frequent condition, the prevalence of this syndrome has been studied in different countries in Europe, in United States and in Japan. The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiology of sensitive skin in the Indian population, like this has never been studied in this country. A representative nationwide sample of the Indian population aged 15 and over was selected. Individuals were selected as per the quota method (based on sex, age, householder profession, rural/urban location, and region). In total, 27.9% of men and 36.7% of women declared having “sensitive” or “very sensitive” skin. The difference between the 2 sexes was very significant. Of these, 5.1% of men and 7.2% of women reported having “very sensitive” skin. The subjects complaining about “sensitive” or “very sensitive” skin were 2–4 times more likely to declare suffering from atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, or vitiligo. They were 2 to 3 times more reactive to climatic factors, environmental factors, cosmetics and food intake. In conclusion, although less frequently reported than in other countries, sensitive skin is a frequent condition in India, affecting about one third of the population

Itch characteristics in five dermatoses: non-atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis and scabies.

International audienceItch is a frequent symptom in many diseases. Some studies have used questionnaires to evaluate pruritus by targeting a single type of dermatitis, for example, studying atopic dermatitis (AD) with the "Eppendorf Itch Questionnaire"(1, 2), and uraemic pruritus (3). Questionnaires have also been used to study psoriasis (4) and urticaria (5). The pathophysiological mechanisms of itch, especially with regard to the mediators and transmitters involved, can vary according to the itch-inducing disease. It is possible that itching sensations may be experienced differently by each patient and depending on the underlying disease. O'Neill et al. (6) and Reich et al. (7) have shown that itching sensations can vary between various skin diseases. The present study used an exploratory approach to highlight the qualitative (symptomatological) features of pruritus in different dermatoses, using a non-validated questionnaire in French, adapted from previous questionnaires (1, 2)

Google search trends for itch in Europe : a retrospective longitudinal study

Altres ajuts: European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV, No. 2016-012 to MP).Background: Itch is a common symptom in the general population. Affected individuals often do not seek medical consultation and rely on Internet searches to obtain information regarding their itch. Objectives: The aim of this study was to attain insights into common concerns of the general population regarding itch can by analysing itch-related Internet search behaviour. Methods: Google AdWords Keyword Planner was used to assess search volumes for itch-related terms in 15 European countries between September 2014 and August 2018. All identified keywords were qualitatively categorized. Itch-related terms were descriptively analysed and are shown as number of searches/100 000 inhabitants. Results: The search volume for the keyword 'itch' per 100 000 inhabitants was highest in Northern Europe, followed by Eastern, Central and Southern Europe. In 4/15 countries, itch was searched for more often in the autumn/winter months compared to in the spring/summer months. Most itch-related terms were related to dermatological conditions such as inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), allergic or immunologic conditions (e.g. urticaria), and infectious diseases or infestations (e.g. scabies). In terms of body location, genitoanal itch dominated the searches. Symptoms and signs related to itch, possible non-dermatological aetiologies, and treatment options were also among the most searched terms. Conclusions: These analyses provided for the first time insights into the search behaviour patterns related to itch across Europe. People from Northern and Eastern Europe are more likely to seek online information regarding itch. Causes for the itch, especially dermatological conditions, and genitoanal itch are the most important concerns for Internet users. This unconventional and inexpensive method identifies medical needs of people beyond the medical setting, including people who do not seek medical consultation. Accordingly, the data could be used to guide public health interventions and manage respective inhabitants' medical needs

Analyse sémiologique du prurit à l'aide d un questionnaire

Le but de notre étude était d analyser la sémiologie du prurit pour rechercher des spécficité selon la dermatose. Nous avons élaboré un questionnaire d analyse qualitative du prurit comportant 6 parties : chronologie, effets des traitements, symptomes associés, intensité, effet des activités quotidiennes, grattage puis l avons soumis à 150 patients présentant un prurit aigu ou chronique. Les pathologies les plus représentées ont été étudiées : eczéma (41 patients), psoriasis (19), gale (19), dermatite atopique (16), urticaire (16). Nous avons retrouvé des similitudes (majoration le soir, aggravation par le stress, la sécheresse de la peau, l'eau chaude) mais aussi des spécificités selon les pathologies. Le prurit dans la dermatite atopique s accompagne souvent de sensations de picotements, fourmis, coups de couteaux et lésions de grattage sont fréquentes : lichénification, papules de pruigo, excoriations nombreuses et profondes. Dans l urticaire, les sensations de brûlure et chaleur sont iiéquentes. Ainsi il n existe pas un type de prurit par maladie mais toutefois des tendances sémiologiques différentes.BREST-BU Médecine-Odontologie (290192102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Altération de l'humeur sous imiquimod topique. [Mood changes in patients on topical imiquimod].

International audienc

Psychogenic and neurogenic components in patients with psychogenic or neuropathic pruritus: PRURINEURO: A non‐interventional single‐centre prospective assay

Abstract Background The causes of pruritus are multiple and commonly classified into six different categories: dermatological, systemic, neuropathic, psychogenic, mixed and idiopathic. In clinical practice, psychogenic and neurogenic mechanisms tend to be separated in the etiological diagnosis of neuropathic or psychogenic disorders; nevertheless, studies investigating the respective psychogenic and neurogenic components are lacking. Objective The main objective of this work was to highlight the differences and potential common characteristics between psychogenic pruritus and neuropathic pruritus. Methods This study was a noninterventional single‐centre prospective assay. Patients with neuropathic (NP) or psychogenic (PP) pruritus were proposed to participate. The psychogenic and neurogenic components of pruritus in these patients were evaluated using six validated questionnaires or criteria, namely, the diagnosis criteria of psychogenic pruritus, the NP5 questionnaire, the Brest Pruritus Qualitative Assessment Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and DN4i. Results Twenty‐five patients with NP and 15 with PP were included. A difference between the two groups was observed for NP5, with mean scores of 2.8 ± 0.9 and 1.4 ± 1 for the NP and PP groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). For depression, the average score was 3.5 ± 3.9 for the NP group and 7.5 ± 5.1 for the PP group (p < 0.02). Conclusion While neuropathic and psychogenic disorders are different diagnoses, neuropathic and psychogenic components may exist simultaneously in patients with NP or PP

Retraction of cutaneous specimens tumours and margins after surgical excision

International audienceAims In previous studies, skin retraction of dermato-pathological specimens after the surgical excision of tumours was calculated at 30% for the surface, with approximately 20% for the length and 15% for the width. The aim of this study was to analyse the retraction of the specimens and the retraction of the lesion and the margins.Methods Patients who underwent excision of a skin tumour between January 2013 and July 2014 were randomly included.Results A total of 104 patients was included. There were 52% male with a mean age of 68.3 years. Seventy-eight per cent of the lesions were malignant (51% were basal cell carcinoma, 10% squamous cell carcinoma). The retraction of the area of the specimen (29%) was significantly greater than the retraction of the tumour (21%). On multivariate analysis, the localisation and the duration of fixation were independent predictors of the specimen area retraction. The retraction of the specimen was 17% in length and 15% in width. The retraction of the margins was calculated at 19% in length and 12% in width. The surgeon correctly evaluated the localisation of the smallest margin in 55% of cases.Conclusions Our study provided additional data regarding the retraction of the tumours and margins. The guidelines for surgical excision of skin cancers recommend a clinical margin before excision, but the evaluation of the sufficiency of the margins is based on histological measurement. Our data are useful for the interpretation of the sufficiency of the margin