Itch numeric rating scale in patients with psoriasis (Study)

[Fred]

This study looked at the psychometric properties of the Itch Numeric Rating Scale (Itch NRS) in patients with psoriasis.

Quote:

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Background:
Itching is a profoundly distressing symptom for many patients with psoriasis, but it has not been rigorously studied using validated tools for this condition.

Objectives:
This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Itch Numeric Rating Scale (Itch NRS), a single-item patient-reported outcome (PRO) measuring the worst itching severity due to psoriasis in the past 24 h.

Methods:
Using disease-specific clinician-rated and PRO data from one phase II and three phase III randomized clinical studies of subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, the Itch NRS was evaluated for test–retest reliability, construct validity and responsiveness. A responder definition was explored using anchor- and distribution-based methods.

Results:
Test–retest reliability analyses supported the reproducibility of the measure (intraclass correlation coefficient range 0·71–0·74). To support the construct validity of the Itch NRS, large cross-sectional correlations with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) Symptoms and Feelings domain (r ≥ 0·60 at baseline and r ≥ 0·80 at week 12) supported a priori hypotheses, while large correlations (r ≥ 0·71) between changes in Itch NRS scores and changes in DLQI Symptoms and Feelings domain scores from baseline to week 12 established responsiveness. A 4-point change was optimal for demonstrating a level of clinically meaningful improvement in itch severity after 12 weeks of treatment, which corresponds with marked clinical improvements in plaque psoriasis.

Conclusions:
The Itch NRS demonstrated sufficient reliability, validity and responsiveness, and appropriate interpretation standards for evaluating change over time in itch severity among patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis when validated using clinical trial data for this condition.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Funding: Eli Lilly

[Kat]

hmm, ok I read it and expected some type of statistics other than what they discuss. Basically after reading it, I was like HUH?

I expected more of an itch scale type thing saying that % of people with (mild, severe, both) psoriasis patients telling how bad (or not) they itched. Something like a scale of 1-10 with 10 being itching that caused them bleeding, pain etc at 5%, with 9% at number 9 etc, etc.

What I got out of it was that over 12 weeks of treatment, people itched a bit less. Unless I missed something.

Why can't they just keep it simple for non scientific people like me?

[JohnB]

I had similar feelings of 'Eh?' and went looking on 'tinterweb for this itch scale but all I could find were other sites with roughly the same blurb. It would be interesting how you quantify the level of an itch. Its like pain, one persons dull ache is another persons agony. It could be only a digital approach is the only sensible solution. You either itch or you don't.

[jiml]

hmm, ok I read it and expected some type of statistics other than what they discuss.  Basically after reading it, I was like HUH?

I expected more of an itch scale type thing saying that % of people with (mild, severe, both) psoriasis patients telling how bad (or not) they itched.  Something like a scale of 1-10 with 10 being itching that caused them bleeding, pain etc at 5%, with 9% at number 9 etc, etc.  

What I got out of it was that over 12 weeks of treatment, people itched a bit less.     Unless I missed something.

Why can't they just keep it simple for non scientific people like me?  

I didn't understand it either

[Kat]

I feel a lot better knowing it wasn't just me then.

[Fred]

Nope it's all rubbish to me too.

I just published it as it was passed to me by one of our Junior reporters working hard out there in the field.  

I would imagine they are trying to come up with something like the:
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)
What is the PASI score my dermatologist uses ?

for dermatologist to use, but it would be easier just to ask for a rating of 1 - 10 on itchiness.

[jiml]

Nope it's all rubbish to me too.

I just published it as it was passed to me by one of our Junior reporters working hard out there in the field.  

I would imagine they are trying to come up with something like the:
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)
What is the PASI score my dermatologist uses ?

for dermatologist to use, but it would be easier just to ask for a rating of 1 - 10 on itchiness.

agreed

[Grizzly Bear]

r ≥ 0·71 That i understand............

Did you all know that E=mc2 ?



When i think back to the other week, when i went to hospital to ask for help and admittance etc, from memory, that was the worst time i have ever itched, scratched & bled.

Now if ; r ≥ 0·71, mine must have been R ≥ 0·99

Are you baffled ?