Skin Pain and Discomfort in Psoriasis: An Exploratory Study of Symptom Prevalence and Characteristics

Abstract

Few studies have investigated subjective sensory skin symptoms in patients with psoriasis. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence and characteristics of psoriasis-related skin pain and discomfort, and evaluate differences in demographic/clinical characteristics among patients with or without skin symptoms. A total of 139 patients was recruited for this exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Data were obtained through interviews and questionnaires. While 42.6% reported skin pain, 36.7% reported skin discomfort. Mean average symptom intensity score (0-10 numeric rating scale) was 4.4 for pain and 3.5 for discomfort. Unpleasant, surface, sensitive, itchy, and hot/burning were the most common symptom qualities. Sleep was the most severely affected function. No differences were found in demographic characteristics. However, larger proportions of patients with skin symptoms had more severe psoriasis (p < 0.05). In conclusion, pain and discomfort are more common and more severe in patients with psoriasis than previously estimated.

Patients’ Experience of Psoriasis in the Genital Area

“…Therefore, the average intensity of itch, pain, burning sensation, scaliness, redness and induration was rated using a numeric rating scale, ‘0’ reflecting no symptom and ‘10’ reflecting the worst symptom conceivable. Previously suggested ranges to explain the intensity of chronic non-malignant pain were used to classify the intensity of the physical symptoms of our interest: mild 1–3, moderate 4–6 and severe 7–10 [10]. …”

“…Patients with psoriasis frequently experience physical symptoms such as skin pain and skin discomfort (e.g. itch, irritation or burning) [10,11]. However, patients’ experience concerning the presence and intensity of genital symptoms is only sparsely described in the current literature.…”

Quality of Life in Psoriasis

“…Research found that large percentages of patients with psoriasis reported considerably skin pain and discomfort [16,17]. Skin pain was reported by up to 42%, and skin discomfort by up to 37% of psoriasis patients [16,18,19].…”

“…Skin pain was reported by up to 42%, and skin discomfort by up to 37% of psoriasis patients [16,18,19]. Skin pain and discomfort had a negative impact on functions such as sleep, mood and enjoyment of life [16].…”

“…Skin pain was reported by up to 42%, and skin discomfort by up to 37% of psoriasis patients [16,18,19]. Skin pain and discomfort had a negative impact on functions such as sleep, mood and enjoyment of life [16]. Studies suggested that other psoriasis-related sensory skin symptoms were associated with sleep disturbances, psychological distress and impaired health related QoL (HRQoL) [20][21][22][23][24][25].…”