[Pruritus in Germany-a Google search engine analysis]. / Pruritus in Deutschland ­ eine Google-Suchmaschinenanalyse.

BACKGROUND: Because affected persons often do not visit a doctor, the prevalence of chronic and acute pruritus in the general population is difficult to determine. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to estimate the frequency and the most common locations of pruritus in German internet users, who-with 62.4 million persons-represent a large majority of the German population, by analysing the Google search volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant keywords for the subject "pruritus" were identified and analysed using the Google AdWords Keyword Planner. The assessment period was January 2015 to December 2016. RESULTS: In total the Google AdWords Keyword Planner identified 701 keywords for the topic "Juckreiz" (German lay word for pruritus), resulting in 7,531,890 pruritus-related Google searches during the assessment period. Most common search terms were the German lay term for atopic eczema ("Neurodermitis", 23.7%), the German lay term for psoriasis ("Schuppenflechte", 17.8%) and "psoriasis" (13%). The German lay term for pruritus ("Juckreiz") was only the sixth most searched term (3%). Most searches (72%) focused on influencing factors for pruritus, especially on skin diseases and skin conditions. The most commonly searched location was pruritus on the whole body, followed by anal pruritus. Analysis of the temporal course showed a higher monthly search volume during winter. CONCLUSION: With its unconventional methodology, a Google search engine analysis, this study allows a rough estimation of the medical need of pruritus in the German general population, which seems to be higher than expected. Especially pruritus in the anal area was identified as an unmet medical need.

Medical needs and major complaints related to pruritus in Germany: a 4-year retrospective analysis using Google AdWords Keyword Planner.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to estimate the prevalence of acute and chronic pruritus in the population at large due to a lack of affected persons seeking medical assistance. OBJECTIVE: To discover the incidence of pruritus in Germany and determine what the most common related complaints are via an analysis of Google's search volume. METHODS: From June 2013 to April 2017, the Google AdWords Keyword Planner was utilized to select and critically assess relevant keywords for 'pruritus'. RESULTS: Among a total of 13 691 470 German language Google searches on the topic of pruritus, it was found that the most searched for terms included atopic eczema (24.3%) and the layman's term for psoriasis ('Schuppenflechte'; 17.8%), as well as just psoriasis (13.4%). 'Juckreiz', the German word for pruritus, was determined to be only the sixth most searched for term (2.9%). Anal pruritus and pruritus of the entire body comprised the most searched for localizations. The various factors that impact pruritus, particularly skin conditions and disorders, were established to be among the most searched for terms (72.6%). A decreased monthly search volume was associated with the changing seasons; the summertime had the lowest number of searches for pruritus. CONCLUSION: The Google search engine analysis provided insight for this study into the unexpectedly large number of unmet medical needs of those suffering from pruritus within Germany, especially that of specific localizations on the body.

Survey of electric bidet toilet use among community dwelling Japanese people and correlates for an itch on the anus.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a survey to investigate the use of bidet toilets among community dwelling Japanese people and explored the correlates for an itch on the anus. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among a convenience sample of individuals, who were derived from outpatients and employees of Kameda Medical Center, and students and employees of two technical colleges. RESULTS: A total of 4,963 respondents were evaluated in this study, 55 % of whom used bidet toilets either before or after defecation, and at least 30 % of bidet users washed the anus before defecation, partly to aid defecation. Men rather than women, and older people (aged ≥50 years) rather than younger people used bidets more actively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the correlates for an itch on the anus included male sex, younger age, washing the anus before defecation, warmer water for washing the anus after defecation, and the frequency of fecal leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly, one-third of bidet toilet users washed the anus before defecation. An itch on the anus may be associated with the active use of bidets.

Pruritus ani: more than a decade of personal experience in Lebanon.

INTRODUCTION: Pruritus ani is a common medical condition that is difficult to treat in the absence of obvious predisposing factors. Hereby, we report more than a ten-year experience in the management of pruritus ani stressing the importance of early detection, identification of the etiology, and management. METHODOLOGY: A total of 124 patients were managed in the surgical clinic. The follow-up was between 11 to 17 months. All patients had the symptoms for a period of time ranging between 6 and 40 months. Patients were treated according to their respective etiology. Medical cases like contact dermatitis and psoriasis were treated by applying proper topical ointments, while other cases like anal fissure and fistula were treated surgically. Idiopathic patients were treated by tattooing (injection to perianal skin with methylene blue). RESULTS & DISCUSSION: The majority of patients with known medical etiology responded favorably to conservative treatment (≈ 92%). In addition, surgical management for anorectal disorders like hemorrhoids and fistula showed a consistent improvement (94%). However, patients who had their symptoms neglected for longtime or had used over the counter medication without a proper medical follow-up, experienced a lower success rate of cure (76%). CONCLUSION: Patients who were diagnosed and treated at first hand, showed better results than those who sought late medical advice and management (i.e. > 18 months). In light of the above, a multidisciplinary team approach consisting of a proctologist, a gastroenterologist and a dermatologist is recommended.

[Enterobiasis among schoolchildren in a rural population from Estado Falcón, Venezuela, and its relation with socioeconomic level]. / Enterobiasis en escolares de una población rural del Estado Falcón, Venezuela y su relación con el nivel socio-económico.

Between may and july 2001, a survey was conducted in order to investigate the prevalence and symptoms of Enterobius vermicularis infection and its relationship with the socio-economic status and household crowding of 154 schoolchildren aged 6-12 years from a rural village in Falcon State, Venezuela. The Graham technique (perianal swabs with an adhesive cellulose tape) was used to perform the parasitological diagnosis. The overall prevalence was high (57.79%). There was no difference in the prevalence between sexes (X2 = 0.005; d.f. = 1) or ages (X2 = 3.63; d.f. = 6) (p > 0.05), suggesting similar risk conditions for all individuals. Anal pruritus was the most common clinical finding (53.9%). Other less frequent manifestations were the following: perianal lesions (34.8%) and vulvovaginitis (32.6%). Graffar analysis revealed that the majority of schoolchildren belong to the poorer socioeconomic strata: IV (55.9%) and V (29.87%), with overcrowded living conditions. The correlation between E. vermicularis infection and crowding rates was found to be statistically significant (r = 0.98; p < 0.001). In the light on these results, it can be concluded that poverty, overcrowding, anal pruritus, scarcity of water, inadequate personal and community hygiene play a relevant role on the transmission dynamics and endemic maintenance of enterobiasis among schoolchildren from Sabaneta.

Evaluation of the frequency of contact allergic reactions to Kathon CG in the Maastricht area--1987-1990.

In the period 1987-1990, 999 patients suspected of a contact allergy were patch-tested with Kathon CG 100 ppm active ingredients aq. Of these patients, 84 (8.4%) showed a positive reaction (70% females). In 62% of these cases clinical relevance was established. Most of them suffered from contact dermatitis of the face, the hands or the perianal region.