Chronic pruritus--more than a symptom: a qualitative investigation into patients' subjective illness perceptions

Journal of Advanced Nursing
Anja BatheUwe Matterne

Abstract

This article is a report of a study exploring the subjective illness perceptions of patients with chronic pruritus (>6 weeks). Pruritus is a common symptom of dermatological as well as other conditions. This pervasive symptom has a substantial impact on quality of life. Little is known about how patients with chronic pruritus construct the symptom, what causes they ascribe, consequences they endure, how they control the symptom and experience the healthcare system. A qualitative design taking a constructivist inquiry perspective. Semi-structured interviews with 16 patients were conducted between September 2008-February 2009 and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Many patients find it very difficult to adequately describe the symptom to others resulting sometimes in bizarre accounts of the symptom that provoke irritation in lay people and health professionals. This irritation frequently leaves the sufferer feeling misunderstood. Patients often feel their burden is not taken seriously by health professionals. This and various other reasons contribute to difficulties in accepting a given diagnosis. This can leave patients unsatisfied with their current health care and the system. They respond with frequent doctor changes an...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 28, 2014·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Jan KottnerRalf Suhr
Aug 30, 2014·Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology·Kristine BreuerThomas Werfel
Jul 2, 2016·Dermatologic Clinics·Jonathan I Silverberg
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Sep 20, 2017·Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN·Hugh C RaynerRonald L Pisoni
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Jun 23, 2019·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Giovanni AresiSabine N van der Veer
Jul 27, 2021·Health Expectations : an International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy·Aminath Shiwaza MoosaNgiap Chuan Tan

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