Predicting changes in perception of itching in chronic skin diseases by personality characteristics, anxiety, and depression

Itch is the main symptom in many skin diseases with a significant impact on the quality of life, while it is affected by psychological factors itself. This research aimed to investigate the changes in perception of itching in chronic skin diseases by personality characteristics, anxiety, and depression. In study,200 patients diagnosed with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria referred to phototherapy unit or dermatology clinics of Imam Reza and Ghaem hospitals in Mashhad during the summer and autumn of 2014 were selected through random sampling. Participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria and gave consent to participate in the study. They answered to d-type personality questionnaire, Self-Consciousness Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. In order to assess perception of itching, Visual Analog Scale and quality of life in patients with pruritus questionnaire (Itchy QoL) were used. After data collection, data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings suggest that personality characteristics and psychological distress in total can explain 70.5% of the variance of itch perception. Depression (P<0.0001), negative mood (P<0.0001), public awareness (P<0.004), and social inhibition (P<0.009) had the largest share in this regard. Personality characteristics, anxiety, and depression can affect perception of itching.