Publication:

Pruritus among adult psoriatic patients attending Khartoum dermatology and venereology teaching hospital (2019-2020)

Background Pruritus is one of the most common subjective symptoms in dermatological diseases and significantly affects the quality of life of psoriasis patients. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with complex and multifactorial pathogenesis.

Methods A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Khartoum Dermatology and Venereology Teaching Hospital from August 2019 to August 2020. Sixty adult psoriasis patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Results Among the study participants, 50% were older than 40 years and 56.7% were males. Plaque psoriasis was the most common clinical type (41.8%). Pruritus was reported in 68.3% of patients, with localized pruritus observed in 60% of cases. Severe pruritus was present in 45% of patients, while weather was identified as the main aggravating factor by 46% of participants. Medications were reported as the primary relieving factor by 97.6% of patients.

Conclusions Pruritus is highly prevalent among psoriasis patients and represents an important clinical symptom that may significantly affect patients’ quality of life. Proper evaluation and management of pruritus should be integrated into psoriasis care.