Title: A Descriptive Observational Study of Prurigo Nodularis in a Rural Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Swaminathan CR, Kaviarasan PK, Prasad PVS, Kannambal K, Poorana B, Abhirami C
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i10.40
Abstract
Background: Prurigo nodularis is a highly pruritic condition, often considered as a reaction pattern to chronic pruritus. Variety of diseases that induce chronic pruritus may lead to the development of a vicious itch–scratch–cycle resulting in therapy refractory nodular lesions. Our aim is to study the demographics, clinical pattern and associated dermatological or systemic causes of chronic pruritus in patients with prurigo nodularis.
Methods: A Descriptive observational study is conducted among 50 patients of prurigo nodularis. History, detailed examination and relevant investigations for common associated conditions of chronic pruritus were done and data are subjected to statistical analysis.
Observations: Fifty patients enrolled in the study with a male female ratio of 1.17:1. The commonest site affected is the extensor aspect of legs. Most common association is atopic diathesis with an earlier age of onset of the disease than the rest. The other conditions associated were popular urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis, varicose eczema, scabies and urticaria. Interestingly, We found two cases of chronic dermatophytosis who developed prurigo nodularis. The systemic factors for chronic pruritus in our patients were diabetes, hypothyroidism and HIV infection. 4% of the patients had a positive family history. Serum total IgE levels is found to be raised in 84% of the patients and correlated with disease severity.
Conclusion: About 54% of our patients with prurigo nodularis had an underlying causative factor for chronic pruritus. As prurigo nodularis is chronic and refractory condition, it is important to treat the underlying pruritus in order to control the disease.
Keywords: prurigo, prurigo nodularis, etiology, associated diseases, chronic pruritus, serum IgE levels.
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