Flavien Huet, Jason Shourick, Sophie Séité, Charles Taïeb, Laurent Misery
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3521

Pruritus in atopic dermatitis has been studied extensively; however, evaluation of skin pain has been very limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence, frequency and characteristics of skin pain in patients with atopic dermatitis. A survey was conducted of a representative sample of 5,000 18–80-year-old individuals selected from the French population according to sex, age, geographical area and socioprofessional status. Data on socio-demographic status and the presence of any skin disease were collected. Pain in the past month and health-related quality of life were evaluated. Average intensity of skin pain during the previous month was assessed with a horizontal visual analogue scale (0–10). Skin pain was reported by more than half of the patients with atopic dermatitis, at a pain intensity of almost 6/10. A neuropathic component was suggested by the Douleur Neuropathique – 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire (a tool for detection of neuropathic pain), as well as the presence of pain inside and outside of skin lesions. Severe alterations to health-related quality of life were assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index and Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12). Pain is reported frequently by patients with atopic dermatitis. Healthcare professionals should question patients about pain and provide effective treatments. Future clinical trials must take skin pain into account.

Pruritus in atopic dermatitis has been studied extensively; however, skin pain is very poorly evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence, frequency and characteristics of skin pain in patients with atopic dermatitis. A survey was conducted on a representative sample of 5,000 18–80-year-old individuals from the French population. Pain and quality of life were evaluated. Skin pain was reported by more than half of the patients with AD, at a pain intensity of almost 6/10. A neuropathic component was suggested by the DN4 questionnaire, as well as the presence of pain inside and outside of skin lesions. Severe alterations in quality of life were assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index and Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) measurements. Pain is frequently reported by patients with atopic dermatitis. Healthcare professionals should question patients about pain and provide effective treatments. Future clinical trials must also take skin pain into account.