The relationship between pruritus and clinical variables in patients with psoriasis

Abstract: Background: Pruritus is the most commonly occurring subjective symptom of dermatological disease. Published data on both prevalence and intensity of pruritus in psoriasis is limited. Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the prevalence of pruritus and its relation with psoriasis area severity index, body mass index and presence of systemic disease in patients with psoriasis. Methods: We analyzed data of psoriatic patients diagnosed in our psoriasis outpatient clinic between March 2013 and June 2014 collected retrospectively from PSR-TR registration system. Results: In total, 880 patients were analyzed. Pruritus was more prominent in female patients. This difference was statistically significant. No significant associations were found between age of patients, clinical type of disease and pruritus. The itching was more common in patients with higher body mass index. Presence of pruritus was correlated significantly with severity of psoriasis. Five hundred and sixty of 880 patients had no systemic disease. The presence of pruritus was not related with presence of systemic disease. Existence of systemic disease with psoriasis has minimal effect on pruritus. Study Limitations: We did not evaluate intensity of pruritus. Conclusions: Pruritus is not mentioned within the classical symptoms of psoriasis. Pruritus in psoriasis is a very unpleasant symptom with great potential to impair patient's quality of life and may exacerbate psoriasis as a Koebner phenomenon.

Retinal sensitivity improvement after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) on retinal sensitivity in cases of macular edema(ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Materials and Methods: Total of 14 eyes of 14 cases of BRVO were included in this prospective study. In each eye, at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after IVTA injection, logMAR visual acuity, central 4° retinal sensitivity by MP-1 microperimetry, and optical coherence tomography foveal thickness were assessed. Results: Cases ages ranged from 60 to 79 years (mean 68 ± 8 years). At 1, 3, and 6 months, the logMAR visual acuity had increased from 0.71 ± 0.21 to 0.42 ± 0.21, 0.46 ± 0.30, and 0.46 ± 0.27; the mean foveal thickness had decreased from 540 ± 88 μm to 254 ± 51 μm, 288 ± 84 μm, and 280 ± 91 μm; and the mean retinal sensitivity had increased from 4.7 ± 2.5 dB to 7.9 ± 2.7 dB, 8.2 ± 3.6 dB, and 8.3 ± 4.6 dB, respectively. Conclusion: In eyes with ME secondary to BRVO, IVTA injections result in a significant increase in not only the visual acuity but also the central 4° retinal sensitivity in 6 months follow-up.