Sensitive skin in patients with inflammatory chronic cutaneous disorders: results from an observational study on psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hand eczema.

BACKGROUND

Data on the prevalence of sensitive skin in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases are lacking. The aim of this study was to address this gap.

METHODS

This observational study included patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or chronic hand eczema who attended the Unit of Dermatology of Ferrara and Messina, Italy, between June and December 2023. All participants completed a 10-item questionnaire for the diagnosis of sensitive skin (score range: 0-10). Participants were classified as having sensitive skin if they scored ≥4.

RESULTS

A total of 188 subjects were included, of whom 82 had psoriasis (mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] 4.2±5.1), 59 had atopic dermatitis (Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI] 3.5±6.7) and 47 had hand eczema (Hand Eczema Severity Index [HECSI] 39.3±3.26). The mean questionnaire scores were 2.6±2.4 for psoriasis, 4.7±2.9 for atopic dermatitis, and 3.0±2.1 for hand eczema, with significant differences observed between atopic dermatitis and both psoriasis (P<0.001) and hand eczema (P<0.001). The prevalence of sensitive skin was higher among atopic dermatitis patients compared to those with psoriasis (P<0.001) and hand eczema (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, which should be regarded as a pilot due to the relatively small number of cases included, sensitive skin was both more prevalent and more severe in patients with atopic dermatitis compared to those with psoriasis and hand eczema. Atopic dermatitis appears to promote skin sensitivity, independently of its clinical severity.