Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors
Published on: September 27, 2019
Itch in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma as a quality of life indicator
Rosanne Ottevanger1, Sylvia van Beugen2, Andrea W M Evers2
1Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Background:
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a chronic and progressive disease that has a major impact on quality of life (QoL).
Objectives:
To describe the impact of the different stages of disease in patients with classical mycosis fungoides, folliculotropic mycosis fungoides, and Sézary syndrome on generic- and dermatology-specific QoL and the relation with itch.
Methods:
A cross-sectional cohort study of patients with classical mycosis fungoides, folliculotropic mycosis fungoides, and Sézary syndrome was performed. Outcomes were the Skindex-29 score, Impact of Chronic Skin Disease on Daily Life which includes a visual analogue scale itch, and RAND-12.
Results:
One hundred six patients with CTCL were included. Compared to the total mycosis fungoides group, patients with Sézary syndrome had significantly worse Skindex-29 scores. Patients with advanced disease had statistically higher scores for the symptom (P = .007), functioning (P = .002), and total score (P = .012). The degree of itching was strongly correlated with the total Skindex-29 score (R = 0.713, P < .001).
Conclusion:
The different stages of CTCL can have a significant effect on multiple domains of generic- and dermatology-specific QoL. Itch was strongly correlated with QoL and therefore can be used as an overall QoL indicator. The effect on QoL, even in patients with early-stage disease, should not be underestimated.
