Evaluation of Itch severity and automatic thoughts in patients with Lichen Simplex Chronicus and Chronic Idiopathic Pruritus: a preliminary report

Abstract

Psychological factors are thought to play an important role in Chronic Idiopathic Pruritus (CIP) and Lichen Simplex Chronicus (LSC). This study examines the association between itch severity and negative automatic thoughts, and compares psychiatric symptom profiles between patients with CIP and LSC. Nineteen patients with Lichen Simplex Chronicus. and 17 patients with Chronic Idiopathic Pruritus who presented to a dermatology outpatient clinic were enrolled. CIP was diagnosed in patients without systemic or skin diseases. LSC was diagnosed based on clinical findings and confirmed by skin biopsy from lesional skin. Itch severity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). During psychiatric evaluation, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) were administered. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0; group comparisons were conducted with the Kruskal–Wallis test. Total ATQ scores were significantly higher in the LSC group than in the IP group (Kruskal–Wallis, p = 0.011). VAS itch scores did not differ significantly between groups. Mean VAS scores of LSC and CIP is 6,53 and 6,58 respectively (Kruskal Wallis, p = 0,746). Clinically relevant anxiety and depressive symptoms were observed in both groups. No significant correlation was found between VAS scores and psychiatric symptoms. Incorporating psychiatric assessment—particularly the evaluation of negative automatic thoughts using ATQ may be beneficial in the clinical management of Chronic Idiopathic Pruritus, especially in patients with Lichen Simplex Chronicus.