S2k guideline diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of hand eczema.

The consensus-based guideline "Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of hand eczema (HE)" provides concrete instructions and recommendations for diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of HE based on an evidence- and consensus-based approach. The guideline was created based on the German guideline "Management von Handekzemen" from 2009 and the current guideline of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) "Guidelines for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of hand eczema" from 2022. The general goal of the guideline is to provide dermatologists and allergologists in practice and clinics with an accepted, evidence-based decision-making tool for selecting and conducting suitable and sufficient therapy for patients with hand eczema. The guideline is based on two Cochrane reviews of therapeutic and preventive interventions for HE. The remaining chapters were mainly developed and consented based on non-systematic literature research by the expert group. The expert group consisted of members of allergological and occupational dermatological professional associations and working groups, a patient representative, and methodologists. The proposals for recommendations and key statements were consented by using a nominal group process during a consensus conference on September 15, 2022. The structured consensus-building process was professionally moderated. This guideline is valid until February 22, 2028.

Prevalence, correlates and characteristics of chronic pruritus: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Pruritus is the most frequent symptom in dermatology. Its impact on quality of life is substantial. Epidemiological data on chronic pruritus (>6 weeks) at the population level is sparse, but is important in order to understand the burden and risk factors of this distressing symptom. The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to estimate the point, 12-month and lifetime prevalence of chronic pruritus, assessing its association with sociodemographic variables and describing its characteristics. A validated postal questionnaire was sent to 4,500 individuals in from the German General population. Three contact attempts were made. The response rate was 57.8% (n=2,540). The point prevalence of chronic pruritus was 13.5% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 12.2-14.9%), 12-month prevalence 16.4% (15.0-17.9%) and lifetime prevalence 22.0% (20.4-23.7%). Multivariate analyses found only ethnic origin independently associated with chronic pruritus. The impact of chronic pruritus on quality of life and emotional well-being appears to depend on severity rather than on the presence of the symptom alone. This is the first study to investigate various prevalence estimates of chronic pruritus at the population level. Despite its limitations (self-report and potential self-selection) this study indicates a high burden of chronic pruritus in society.

Informed consent affects prevalence estimates in an epidemiological study on chronic pruritus: lessons learned from a pretest.

PURPOSE: It was the purpose of this study to compare prevalence estimates of chronic pruritus as obtained from two population-based samples, one being asked and one not being asked to provide written informed consent. METHODS: A validated questionnaire measuring the prevalence of chronic itch was sent to two samples (N=51 and N=52) from the general population; one sample was asked to complete and send back an informed consent form and one sample was not. RESULTS: There were few demographic differences between the two groups. The response rate was slightly higher in those who were not asked to complete an informed consent form. Point, 12-month, and lifetime prevalence estimates in those persons who had not received a consent form, but who had written back were consistently lower (lifetime prevalence: 16% vs. 60%, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: If informed consent is requested, there seems to be a relationship between the presence of chronic pruritus and the willingness to participate in a cohort study. People suffering from chronic pruritus tend to return the questionnaire with the informed consent form more readily. Measures need to be taken to ensure that the response is sufficiently high among participants without the target characteristic in epidemiological studies on chronic symptoms.