Disease burden and treatment satisfaction in patients with prurigo nodularis in Japan

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a high disease burden. In this cross-sectional, web-based survey, Global Questions (GQ), the Numerical Rating Scales (NRS) for pruritus, burning sensation and sleep disturbance, the Short-Form-8 (SF-8) Health Survey, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9 (TSQM-9) scores were used to assess the current disease burden and treatment satisfaction among patients with PN in Japan. In total, 97 patients were included (55.7% male, median age 51 years, median duration of PN 36 months). Based on GQ scores, 35.1% of patients had mild disease, 50.5% moderate, and 14.4% severe disease. Disease burden increased as the severity of PN increased, as indicated by worsening of pruritus NRS scores and quality of life (DLQI, PHQ-9, WPAI presenteeism, work productivity loss, and activity impairment scores). Patients with comorbid atopic dermatitis (AD) also had more intense pruritus than those without AD. Mean ± standard deviation TSQM-9 scores for effectiveness, convenience, and global satisfaction were 54.7 ± 18.1%, 62.4 ± 15.2%, and 57.4 ± 15.9%, respectively. TSQM-9 scores were lowest in patients receiving the most intensive guideline-directed treatment (i.e., topical corticosteroids + systemic oral corticosteroids or cyclosporine), highlighting an unmet need for more effective treatment options for patients with PN. In summary, Japanese patients with PN reported increased disease burden and reduced treatment satisfaction with increased disease severity, despite the use of guideline-recommended therapies.