Prurigo Nodularis Is Associated with Depression and Anxiety in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prurigo nodularis is a chronic pruritic disorder characterized by papulonodular lesions and uncontrollable scratching. Prurigo nodularis exerts a substantial physical and psychological burden on patients. The possible association among prurigo nodularis, mood disorders, and chronic renal failure has never been investigated. This study aims to clarify the relationship between dermatological complications and mental illness. METHODS: We evaluated the psychological status of patients with prurigo nodularis that were/were not undergoing hemodialysis. The subjects were categorized into four groups (N=18), each based on the presence of prurigo nodularis and hemodialysis therapy: one group with prurigo nodularis and no associated systemic diseases; one with prurigo nodularis and chronic hemodialysis; one hemodialysis group without prurigo nodularis, and a control group of healthy subjects. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) tests were used to measure depression and anxiety status, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with prurigo nodularis were significantly with increased BDI-II and BAI scores. Hemodialysis patients with prurigo nodularis demonstrated the highest average scores for the BDI-II and BAI. There was signifi cant association between BDI-II and BAI scores. Conclusion: Patients with prurigo nodularis, especially those undergoing hemodialysis were associated with underlying psychological distress. Thus, it would be of help to detect a subgroup of patients suffering from psychiatric diseases.