Prurigo Nodularis (PN) has a severe impact on quality of life, causing intense physical and psychological distress due to relentless itching, poor sleep, anxiety, depression and social isolation. The condition disrupts daily life, leading to social avoidance, decreased work and leisure activity, and can last for years, making it a chronic and burdensome disease for those who suffer from it.
Physical impact
- Intractable itch: The most significant impact is the constant, uncontrollable itching that triggers a vicious itch-scratch cycle, leading to skin damage and worsening lesions.
- Sleep deprivation: Many patients lose significant hours of sleep each night, leading to fatigue and requiring sedatives as a treatment.
- Daily life disruption: The condition can impair concentration, and patients may have difficulty hiding their skin lesions in professional or social settings.
- Physical activity limitations: Patients often avoid activities like swimming that can exacerbate itching or require exposing skin.
Psychological and emotional impact
- Psychosocial distress: PN is associated with high levels of stress, irritability, anxiety, and depression.
- Social isolation: Patients may avoid social situations due to self-consciousness, discrimination, or inappropriate questions, leading to isolation.
- Impact on relationships: Intimacy and romantic relationships can be affected by the patient’s physical appearance and self-perception.
- Negative self-perception: Patients often feel shame, disgust, and a loss of confidence, with a diminished self-image as a healthy person.
- Suicidal ideation: In severe cases, the constant distress can lead to suicidal thoughts.
Long-term and treatment challenges
- Chronic and persistent: PN is a chronic condition that often persists for years and is difficult to treat completely.
- Management challenges: The primary treatment goal is to break the itch-scratch cycle, but many patients do not respond to current management therapies.
- Associated conditions: PN is associated with a high disease burden and can be linked to other health issues.
- Burden of treatment: The time required for multiple doctor’s appointments and daily topical treatments can be burdensome.
