• Jonathan I Silverberg, Donald Lei, Muhammad Yousaf, Sherief R Janmohamed, Paras P Vakharia, Rishi Chopra, Rajeev Chavda, Sylvie Gabriel, Kevin R Patel, Vivek Singam, Robert Kantor, Derek Y Hsu, and David Cella.
• Department of Dermatology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia; Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: jonathanIsilverberg@gmail.com.
• Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2020 Nov 1; 125 (5): 552-559.e2.

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with heterogeneous triggers of itch, which may affect AD course and severity.ObjectiveTo characterize the triggers of itch in adult AD.MethodsThis was a prospective dermatology practice-based study using questionnaires and evaluation by a dermatologist (n = 587). Thirteen itch triggers were assessed using the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system Itch-Triggers.ResultsOverall, 381 (64.9%) patients reported greater than or equal to 1 itch trigger in the past week and 212 (36.1%) reported greater than or equal to 3 itch triggers. The most commonly reported triggers were stress (35.4%), sweat (30.5%), weather change (24.7%), dry air (24.4%), and heat (24.0%). In multivariable Poisson regression models, the number of itch triggers was associated with more severe patient-reported global AD severity, Numeric Rating Scale worst itch, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, Scoring Atopic Dermatitis sleep, Numeric Rating Scale skin pain, Eczema Area and Severity Index, and objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis. The seasonality of AD was associated with distinct itch triggers. In multivariable logistic regression models, the number of itch triggers was associated with less than or equal to 3 months of AD remission during the year, greater than or equal to 2 AD flares, and AD being worse during some seasons. Four patterns of itch triggers were identified using latent class analysis, each associated with different clinical characteristics.ConclusionItch triggers are common and affect the course of AD. Itch triggers are an important end point to assess in patients with AD.Copyright © 2020 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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