Prevalence of pruritus in psoriatic skin lesions and its relations to different variables

Objective: To examine the prevalence of itching in psoriatic skin lesions and its relation with different variables. Patients and methods: A simple questionnaire and a verbal 4-point intensity scale were used. Severity of disease was calculated by using Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). Results: Six hundred and fourteen patients of psoriasis were examined in which majority were chronic plaque type. Pruritus was present in 79% of the patients, and was severe in 34%; moderate in 15% and mild in 30%. Conclusion: Pruritus was common in chronic plaque psoriasis, female patients and those with more severe disease. Itching was more severe in more severe type of psoriasis. It was more common in females in comparison to males. But there was no difference between pediatric and adult psoriasis.