Effect of habit reversal training on the quality of life of patients with senile pruritus / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the effect of habit reversal training (HRT) on the quality of life of patients with senile pruritus (SP) Methods A total of 60 patients with SP were selected from the dermatology department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Using random number table method,the patients were divided into two groups,namely 30 patients in each group.Two groups of patients were treated with antihistamines and anticnesmatic.On this basis,the control group given health guide by holding group health lecture,once a week,about 60min each time,for eight consecutive times.The experimental group adopted the HRT on the basis of the control group,1 times per week in the first 4 weeks,and once every 2 weeks in the 5th to 12th week,and 30-60 min each time.Before the intervention and 4 weeks,8 weeks and 12 weeks after intervention,the Negative Emotion Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI) were respectively used to evaluate the negative emotion and the sleep quality.Before the intervention and 12 weeks after intervention,the Structured Pruritus Symptom(SPS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index(DLQI) were respectively used to evaluate the pruritus symptom and the life quality of the patients with SP.Results The scores of Negative Emotion Scale and PSQI in the experimental group at the fourth,eighth and 12th weekends after intervention were lower than those in the control group at the same time,and the difference was statistically significant (the negative emotion:t=0.131,-6.072,-6.884;PSQI:t=-3.972,-5.173,-8.246,P ＜ 0.01).And the scores of two scales in the two groups were statistically significant in the inter-group effect,time effect and interaction effect.(The score of the Negative Emotion Scale:Ftime=96.635,Finter-group=10.329,Finteraction=5.371;the total score of PSQI:Ftime=5.371,Finter-group=368.063,Finteraction=19.910,P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,the total score of the SPS and the DLQI in the experimental group were lower than the control group after 12 weeks of intervention (Z =-3.267,t =8.283,P ＜ 0.01).Among them,there was no statistically significant difference in daily living items of DLQI (t =1.873,P＞0.05).Also,after intervention,the total score of the Negative Emotion Scale,PSQI and each item of PSQI in the experimental group at each time point were lower than previous point (P ＜ 0.05).The total score of the SPS,DLQI and each item of DLQI in the experimental group were lower than pre-intervention (Z =-4.610,t=15.850,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions HRT could effectively relieve itching symptoms of patients with SP,improve the negative emotion and the sleep quality.It is worthy of further clinical promotion,thus effectively improve the quality of life of the patients with SP.

Clinical Observations of Generalized Pruritus / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Generalized pruritus without primary skin lesion is a heterogenous condition and may persist for long periods, from months to years. Few studies of generalized pruritus have been carried out. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the causes, clinical manifestations and treatment courses of generalized pruritus. METHODS: A total of 229 new patients (190 newly-visited dermatologic outpatients, 39 consulted inpatients from other clinical departments) with generalized pruritus without skin lesion who visited the Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook University Hospital, Daegu, Korea from July 2005~June 2008 were selected. The data was studied on the basis of a retrospective survey of hospital records. RESULTS: The number of the patients with generalized pruritus was highest in the seventh decade of life. In 57.2% of total patients, generalized pruritus was a symptom of internal disease. Idiopathic pruritus was diagnosed in 20.5% of patients, and senile pruritus in 14.8% of patients. Among internal diseases, endocrine disease was the most common (29.0%). Temperature change was the most frequent aggravating factor (20.3%). For diurnal and seasonal variations, pruritus was frequently aggravated at night (35.9%) and in summer (18.8%). Topical treatment was the most common treatment modality. CONCLUSION: This study describes the general aspects of generalized pruritus without skin lesion. An approach to the work-up of a patient with pruritus is suggested.

Pharmacodynamic Studies on Yangxue Zhiyang Capsule / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective By observing the curative effect of Yangxue Zhiyang Capsule (YZC) on guinea pigs and senile rats, therapeutic effect of YZC for senile pruritus and its mechanism was assessed. Methods Animal models with pruritus induced by exogenous histamine were used to observe the effect of YZC in relieving itching. Senile rat models of blood deficiency induced by acetophenylhydrazine (APH) were applied to measure the effect of YZC on red blood cells (RBC) counting, blood hemoglobin (Hb), plasma estrogen (E2), testosterone (T) and proesterone(PO), sexual organ weight and the amount of sebaceous gland and its secretory function. Results YZC could raise the itching threshold of guinea pigs with pruritus, elevate RBC amount and Hb content, increase E2,T and PO levels, elevate the weight of sexual organs and the number of sebaceous glands, and promote the secretory function of sebaceous glands in rats with blood deficiency. Conclusion YZC has good effect in relieving itching of guinea pigs with pruritus and nourishing blood of rats with blood deficiency by raising the levels of sex hormones, increasing the number of sebaceous glands and stimulating sebaceous gland secretion.