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Lee IS, Yoon DE, Lee S, Kang JH, Chae Y, Park HJ, Kim J. Neural Biomarkers for Identifying Atopic Dermatitis and Assessing Acupuncture Treatment Response Using Resting-State fMRI. J Asthma Allergy 2024; 17:383-389. [PMID: 38651018 PMCID: PMC11034564 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s454807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Only a few studies have focused on the brain mechanisms underlying the itch processing in AD patients, and a neural biomarker has never been studied in AD patients. We aimed to develop a deep learning model-based neural signature which can extract the relevant temporal dynamics, discriminate between AD and healthy control (HC), and between AD patients who responded well to acupuncture treatment and those who did not. Patients and Methods We recruited 41 AD patients (22 male, age mean ± SD: 24.34 ± 5.29) and 40 HCs (20 male, age mean ± SD: 26.4 ± 5.32), and measured resting-state functional MRI signals. After preprocessing, 38 functional regions of interest were applied to the functional MRI signals. A long short-term memory (LSTM) was used to extract the relevant temporal dynamics for classification and train the prediction model. Bootstrapping and 4-fold cross-validation were used to examine the significance of the models. Results For the identification of AD patients and HC, we found that the supplementary motor area (SMA), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), temporal pole, precuneus, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed significantly greater prediction accuracy than the chance level. For the identification of high and low responder to acupuncture treatment, we found that the lingual-parahippocampal-fusiform gyrus, SMA, frontal gyrus, PCC and precuneus, paracentral lobule, and primary motor and somatosensory cortex showed significantly greater prediction accuracy than the chance level. Conclusion We developed and evaluated a deep learning model-based neural biomarker that can distinguish between AD and HC as well as between AD patients who respond well and those who respond less to acupuncture. Using the intrinsic neurological abnormalities, it is possible to diagnose AD patients and provide personalized treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Seon Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Eun Yoon
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyoung Lee
- Department of Physics and Computational Radiology, Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jae-Hwan Kang
- Digital Health Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsuk Kim
- School of Information Convergence, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Li CY, Chang WC, Chen MH, Tu PC, Chen TL, Chen CC, Chang YT, Chen YY, Bai YM. Correlation of Disease Severity, Proinflammatory Cytokines, and Reduced Brain Gray Matter Volumes in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatitis 2024. [PMID: 38634841 DOI: 10.1089/derm.2023.0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. However, few studies have investigated brain changes associated with chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that chronic inflammation might be related to brain structural alterations in patients with AD. Objectives: To investigate the association between disease severity (Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI]), proinflammatory cytokines, and differences in brain gray matter (GM) volume in patients with AD. Methods: Nineteen patients with AD and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. All participants underwent clinical assessment and brain magnetic resonance imaging. Voxel-based morphometry was performed to analyze GM volume differences. Results: Patients with AD exhibited significantly decreased GM volume in many brain regions, such as bilateral precentral gyrus, right frontal pole, and right middle temporal gyrus (P < 0.001), compared with healthy subjects. Notably, in patients with AD, the GM volume in right middle temporal gyrus was negatively associated with both EASI score and proinflammatory cytokines (sIL-2R [soluble interleukin 2 receptor] and TNF-α receptor-1), whereas the GM volume in left precentral gyrus was negatively associated with both EASI score and proinflammatory cytokines (sIL-2R and CRP). Conclusion: Patients with AD demonstrated significant brain GM volume reduction in many brain regions, which is related to disease severity and proinflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yuan Li
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chen Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hong Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chi Tu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Li Chen
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chiang Chen
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ting Chang
- From the Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You-Yin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Mei Bai
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Ma B, Park YJ, Barber K, Mydlarski PR. Nocebo effects in systemic therapies for adult plaque psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1373520. [PMID: 38601115 PMCID: PMC11004429 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1373520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The nocebo effect is defined as adverse outcomes secondary to negative patient expectations rather than the pharmacologic activity of an intervention. Nocebo effects can reduce treatment adherence and/or persistence. Therefore, nocebo effects in psoriasis need to be defined. Methods A Cochrane systematic review was updated with a search of MEDLINE, Embase, and the CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials for phase II - IV RCTs comparing systemic therapy versus placebo for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Estimates were pooled using a random effects model, and heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. The primary outcome was the pooled proportion of any adverse event (AE) and corresponding risk difference (RD) in patients randomized to placebo versus systemic therapy. Results A total of 103 unique trials were identified enrolling 43,189 patients. The overall pooled AE rate in patients randomized to systemic therapy was 57.1% [95% CI: 54.7-59.5%] compared to 49.8% [95% CI: 47.1-52.4%] for placebo [RD 6.7% (95% CI: 4.6-8.9%), p < 0.00001, I2 = 75%]. Both biologic and non-biologic systemic therapy groups had a higher proportion of infectious AEs compared to placebo. No statistically significant RD in serious AEs or AEs leading to discontinuation was identified between systemic therapy and placebo groups. Discussion Half of patients exposed to inert placebo in clinical trials of systemic psoriasis therapies experienced AEs, which may be explained by nocebo effects. These findings have important implications when counseling patients and designing future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Ma
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ye-Jean Park
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kirk Barber
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - P. Régine Mydlarski
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Cameron S, Donnelly A, Broderick C, Arichi T, Bartsch U, Dazzan P, Elberling J, Godfrey E, Gringras P, Heathcote LC, Joseph D, Wood TC, Pariante C, Rubia K, Flohr C. Mind and skin: Exploring the links between inflammation, sleep disturbance and neurocognitive function in patients with atopic dermatitis. Allergy 2024; 79:26-36. [PMID: 37469218 DOI: 10.1111/all.15818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic and inflammatory, dry skin condition with many known comorbidities. These include airway disease, food allergies, atopic eye disease and autoimmune conditions. Furthermore, there is often significant sleep disturbance as well as increased psychological distress and mental health problems. Severe AD therefore often has a significant impact on the quality of life of both patients and their families. In this review we discuss recent findings on the putative links between AD, its association with itch, sleep disturbance and neuropsychiatric morbidity, including the role of inflammation in these conditions. Itch was thought to predominantly drive sleep disruption in AD. We now understand changes in sleep influence immune cell distribution and the associated inflammatory cytokines, which suggests a bidirectional relationship between AD and sleep. We also increasingly recognize inflammation as a key driver in psychological symptoms and disorders. The link between cutaneous, systemic and possible brain inflammation could at least in part be driven by the sleep deprivation and itch-driven neuronal proliferation seen in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shona Cameron
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ali Donnelly
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Conor Broderick
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Tomoki Arichi
- Centre for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ullrich Bartsch
- Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Care Research & Technology Centre, Imperial College London and University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Paola Dazzan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jesper Elberling
- Depart of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emma Godfrey
- Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Gringras
- Paediatric Sleep Department, Evelina Children's Hospital, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Lauren C Heathcote
- Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Desaline Joseph
- Paediatric Sleep Department, Evelina Children's Hospital, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Tobias C Wood
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Carmine Pariante
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Care Research & Technology Centre, Imperial College London and University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Katya Rubia
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Care Research & Technology Centre, Imperial College London and University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Carsten Flohr
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Yao J, Li X, Wu GY, Wu B, Long JH, Wang PJ, Liu SL, Gao J, Sui JF. The Anterior Insula and its Projection to the Prelimbic Cortex are Involved in the Regulation of 5-HT-Induced Itch. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1807-1822. [PMID: 37553505 PMCID: PMC10661608 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01093-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Itch is an unpleasant sensation that urges people and animals to scratch. Neuroimaging studies on itch have yielded extensive correlations with diverse cortical and subcortical regions, including the insular lobe. However, the role and functional specificity of the insular cortex (IC) and its subdivisions in itch mediation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and fiber photometry tests, that neurons in both the anterior insular cortex (AIC) and the posterior insular cortex (PIC) are activated during acute itch processes. Pharmacogenetic experiments revealed that nonselective inhibition of global AIC neurons, or selective inhibition of the activity of glutaminergic neurons in the AIC, reduced the scratching behaviors induced by intradermal injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), but not those induced by compound 48/80. However, both nonselective inhibition of global PIC neurons and selective inhibition of glutaminergic neurons in the PIC failed to affect the itching-scratching behaviors induced by either 5-HT or compound 48/80. In addition, pharmacogenetic inhibition of AIC glutaminergic neurons effectively blocked itch-associated conditioned place aversion behavior, and inhibition of AIC glutaminergic neurons projecting to the prelimbic cortex significantly suppressed 5-HT-evoked scratching. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the AIC is involved, at least partially via aversive emotion mediation, in the regulation of 5-HT-, but not compound 48/80-induced itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yao
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Guang-Yan Wu
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Bing Wu
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jun-Hui Long
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Chongqing, 400020, China
| | - Pu-Jun Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Chongqing, 400020, China
| | - Shu-Lei Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The 958th Army Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Chongqing, 400020, China
| | - Jie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Army Medical Centre of the PLA, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
| | - Jian-Feng Sui
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Rooney T, Sharpe L, Todd J, Richmond B, Colagiuri B. The relationship between expectancy, anxiety, and the nocebo effect: a systematic review and meta-analysis with recommendations for future research. Health Psychol Rev 2023; 17:550-577. [PMID: 36111435 DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2022.2125894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Despite the theoretical prominence of expectancy and anxiety as potential mechanisms of the nocebo effect, not all studies measure expectancy and/or anxiety, and there are inconsistent findings among those that do. The present study sought to systematically review and meta-analyse available data to evaluate the relationship between expectancy, anxiety and the nocebo effect. The two key questions were: (1) whether nocebo manipulations influence expectancy and anxiety; and (2) whether expectancy and anxiety are associated with the subsequent nocebo effect. Fifty-nine independent studies (n = 3129) were identified via database searches to 1st August 2021. Nocebo manipulations reliably increased negative expectancy with a large effect (g = .837) and state anxiety with a small effect (g = .312). Changes in expectancy and state anxiety due to the nocebo manipulation were associated with larger nocebo effects (r = .376 and .234, respectively). However, there was no significant association between dispositional anxiety and the nocebo effect. These findings support theories that rely on situationally-induced expectancy and anxiety, but not dispositional anxiety, to explain nocebo effects. Importantly, being malleable, these findings suggest that interventions that target maladaptive negative expectancies and state anxiety could be beneficial for reducing the harm nocebo effects cause across health settings. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Rooney
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louise Sharpe
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jemma Todd
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bethany Richmond
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ben Colagiuri
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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7
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Chen Y, Cui L, Li H, Gao A. Abnormal brain structure in atopic dermatitis: Evidence from Mendelian randomization study. Skin Res Technol 2023; 29:e13515. [PMID: 38009032 PMCID: PMC10654478 DOI: 10.1111/srt.13515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural abnormalities in the brain of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have been reported; however, the cause has not been determined yet. Herein, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to reveal the causal effect of AD on brain structure. METHODS This study utilized summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to investigate a collection of cerebral structural measures, encompassing cortical thickness (CT), cortical surface area (CA), and subcortical volumes in T1 images. A comprehensive GWAS meta-analysis identified a total of 20 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms linked to AD, surpassing the genome-wide significance threshold (p < 5 × 10⁻⁸). MR estimates were aggregated through the application of the inverse variance weighted method. Additional complementary analyses (i.e., MR-Egger and weighted median approaches) were conducted to further assess the robustness of the obtained results. Sensitivity analysis and multivariate MR (MVMR) while adjusting for brain structural changes risk factors (i.e., depression and anxiety) were performed to assess the reliability and stability of observed causality. RESULTS Genetically determined AD exhibited a causal link with reduced caudate volumes (IVW-MR: β = -0.186, p = 0.001, p-corrected = 0.009). Furthermore, we identified potential causal associations between AD and reduced CT in the cingulate region (posterior cingulate, IVW-MR: β = -0.065, p = 0.018, p-corrected = 0.551; isthmus cingulate, IVW-MR: β = -0.086, p = 0.003, p-corrected = 0.188), as well as abnormal cortical surface area (CA) in the supramarginal (IVW-MR: β = -0.047, p = 0.044, p-corrected = 0.714) and isthmus cingulate (IVW-MR: β = 0.053, p = 0.018, p-corrected = 0.714). Additional supplementary analyses yielded consistent outcomes. There was no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy. MVMR analysis showed that the causal effects of AD on abnormal brain structure remained significant while adjusting for depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION This MR study provided suggestive evidence that decreased caudate nucleus, posterior cingulate cortex, isthmus cingulate cortex and supramarginal gyrus are suggestively associated with higher AD risk. Future investigation into the brain regions is recommended, which helps to clarify the underlying mechanisms and point to new therapies against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Chen
- Department of DermatologyGuangzhou Institute of DermatologyGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Liqian Cui
- Department of NeurologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Hao Li
- Department of NeurologyDonders Center for Medical NeurosciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Aili Gao
- Department of DermatologyGuangzhou Institute of DermatologyGuangzhouGuangdongChina
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Benson S, Labrenz F, Kotulla S, Brotte L, Rödder P, Tebbe B, Theysohn N, Engler H, Elsenbruch S. Amplified gut feelings under inflammation and depressed mood: A randomized fMRI trial on interoceptive pain in healthy volunteers. Brain Behav Immun 2023:S0889-1591(23)00147-2. [PMID: 37302437 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation and depressed mood constitute clinically relevant vulnerability factors for enhanced interoceptive sensitivity and chronic visceral pain, but their putative interaction remains untested in human mechanistic studies. We tested interaction effects of acute systemic inflammation and sad mood on the expectation and experience of visceral pain by combining experimental endotoxemia with a mood induction paradigm. METHODS The double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced crossover fMRI-trial in N=39 healthy male and female volunteers involved 2 study days with either intravenous administration of low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.4ng/kg body weight; inflammation condition) or saline (placebo condition). On each study, day two scanning sessions were conducted in an experimentally induced negative (i.e., sad) and in a neutral mood state, accomplished in balanced order. As a model of visceral pain, rectal distensions were implemented, which were initially calibrated to be moderately painful. In all sessions, an identical series of visceral pain stimuli was accomplished, signaled by predictive visual conditioning cues to assess pain anticipation. We assessed neural activation during the expectation and experience of visceral pain, along with unpleasantness ratings in a condition combining an inflammatory state with sad mood and in control conditions. All statistical analyses were accomplished using sex as covariate. RESULTS LPS administration led to an acute systemic inflammatory response (inflammation X time interaction effects for TNF-α, IL-6, and sickness symptoms, all p<.001). The mood paradigm effectively induced distinct mood states (mood X time interaction, p<.001), with greater sadness in the negative mood conditions (both p<.001) but no difference between LPS and saline conditions. Significant main and interaction effects of inflammation and negative mood were observed for pain unpleasantness (all p<.05). During cued pain anticipation, a significant inflammation X mood interaction emerged for activation of the bilateral caudate nucleus and right hippocampus (all pFWE<.05). Main effects of both inflammation and mood were observed in multiple regions, including insula, midcingulate cortex, prefrontal gyri, and hippocampus for inflammation, and midcingulate, caudate, and thalamus for mood (all pFWE<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Results support an interplay of inflammation and sad mood on striatal and hippocampal circuitry engaged during visceral pain anticipation as well as on pain experience. This may reflect a nocebo mechanism, which may contribute to altered perception and interpretation of bodily signals. At the interface of affective neuroscience and the gut-brain axis, concurrent inflammation and negative mood may be vulnerability factors for chronic visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Benson
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational and Behavioral Neuroscience, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Institute for Medical Education, University Hospital Essen, Center for Translational and Behavioral Neuroscience, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Franziska Labrenz
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum
| | - Simone Kotulla
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational and Behavioral Neuroscience, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Brotte
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational and Behavioral Neuroscience, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Philipp Rödder
- Department of Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bastian Tebbe
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Theysohn
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational and Behavioral Neuroscience, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum; Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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9
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Li JN, Wu XM, Zhao LJ, Sun HX, Hong J, Wu FL, Chen SH, Chen T, Li H, Dong YL, Li YQ. Central medial thalamic nucleus dynamically participates in acute itch sensation and chronic itch-induced anxiety-like behavior in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2539. [PMID: 37137899 PMCID: PMC10156671 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38264-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Itch is an annoying sensation consisting of both sensory and emotional components. It is known to involve the parabrachial nucleus (PBN), but the following transmission nodes remain elusive. The present study identified that the PBN-central medial thalamic nucleus (CM)-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) pathway is essential for itch signal transmission at the supraspinal level in male mice. Chemogenetic inhibition of the CM-mPFC pathway attenuates scratching behavior or chronic itch-related affective responses. CM input to mPFC pyramidal neurons is enhanced in acute and chronic itch models. Specifically chronic itch stimuli also alter mPFC interneuron involvement, resulting in enhanced feedforward inhibition and a distorted excitatory/inhibitory balance in mPFC pyramidal neurons. The present work underscores CM as a transmit node of the itch signal in the thalamus, which is dynamically engaged in both the sensory and affective dimensions of itch with different stimulus salience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ni Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liu-Jie Zhao
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Han-Xue Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014040, China
| | - Feng-Ling Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Si-Hai Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu-Lin Dong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Yun-Qing Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, 014040, China.
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10
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Bavbek S, Ozyigit LP, Baiardini I, Braido F, Roizen G, Jerschow E. Placebo, Nocebo, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Drug Allergy. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:371-379. [PMID: 36521832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sevim Bavbek
- Division of Allergy and Clinical of Immunology, Department of Chest Diseases, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Leyla Pur Ozyigit
- Adult Allergy Service, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Baiardini
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Università di Genova, (DIMI), Genova, Italy
| | - Fulvio Braido
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Università di Genova, (DIMI), Genova, Italy
| | - Gigia Roizen
- Department of Immunology, Clinica Alemana De Santiago, Santiago, Chile
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11
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Wu GY, Zheng XX, Zhao SL, Wang Y, Jiang S, Wang YS, Yi YL, Yao J, Wen HZ, Liu J, Li HL, Sui JF. The prelimbic cortex regulates itch processing by controlling attentional bias. iScience 2022; 26:105829. [PMID: 36619983 PMCID: PMC9816985 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Itch is a complex and unpleasant sensory experience. Recent studies have begun to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the modulation of sensory and emotional components of itch in the brain. However, the key brain regions and neural mechanism involved in modulating the attentional processing of itch remain elusive. Here, we showed that the prelimbic cortex (PrL) is associated with itch processing and that the manipulation of itch-responsive neurons in the PrL significantly disrupted itch-induced scratching. Interestingly, we found that increasing attentional bias toward a distracting stimulus could disturb itch processing. We also demonstrated the existence of a population of attention-related neurons in the PrL that drive attentional bias to regulate itch processing. Importantly, itch-responsive neurons and attention-related neurons significantly overlapped in the PrL and were mutually interchangeable in the regulation of itch processing at the cellular activity level. Our results revealed that the PrL regulates itch processing by controlling attentional bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yan Wu
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China,Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China,Corresponding author
| | - Xiao-Xia Zheng
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Shan-Lan Zhao
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi-Song Wang
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi-Lun Yi
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Juan Yao
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hui-Zhong Wen
- Department of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ju Liu
- Department of Foreign Languages, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hong-Li Li
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China,Corresponding author
| | - Jian-Feng Sui
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China,Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China,Corresponding author
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12
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Meeuwis SH, Skvortsova A, van Laarhoven AIM, Holle H, Evers AWM. Can contagious itch be affected by positive and negative suggestions? Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:1853-1862. [PMID: 36048562 PMCID: PMC10087404 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Contagious itch can be evoked by observing people scratching. Verbal suggestions about to-be-received itch can influence itch intensity, as shown by placebo research, but it is unknown whether this extends to contagious itch. The current study aimed to replicate prior findings that listening to scratching and rubbing sounds elicits contagious itch, and to investigate whether suggestions can modulate this process. Healthy participants (n = 140) received positive or negative suggestions about itch in response to the sounds (aimed to decrease or increase expected itch, respectively), or no specific suggestions as a control. Participants listened to a number of audio fragments with scratching and rubbing sounds. The amount of expected itch as well as itch sensation after each audio fragment were measured by self-report. Suggestions had no effect on the expected itch. Both rubbing and scratching sounds significantly elicited itch in all groups. Scratching sounds induced more itch than rubbing sounds exclusively in the control group. These findings indicate that short suggestions might be not effective enough to modify the expectations of people regarding contagious itch. Furthermore, suggestions modulate contagious itch to some degree, but not in the hypothesized direction. Potential similarities and differences in the neurobiological mechanisms of contagious itch and nocebo effects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie H Meeuwis
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands.,Pain Research Group, Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Aleksandrina Skvortsova
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Antoinette I M van Laarhoven
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Henning Holle
- Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Medical Delta Healthy Society, Leiden University, Technical University Delft & Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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13
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Zhang L, Zou Z, Yu S, Xiao X, Shi Y, Cao W, Liu Y, Zheng H, Zheng Q, Zhou S, Yao J, Deng Y, Yang Q, Chen S, Hao P, Li N, Li Y. Functional connectivity impairment of thalamus-cerebellum-scratching neural circuits in pruritus of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1026200. [PMID: 36340791 PMCID: PMC9630740 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1026200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pruritus of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is one of the most common and irritating sensations that severely affects the quality of life. However, the changes in the functional connectivity (FC) between thalamic subregions and other brain regions have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the potential changes in brain neural circuits by focusing on various subregions of the thalamus in patients with CSU pruritus to contribute to the understanding of chronic pruritus from the perspective of central mechanisms. A total of 56 patients with CSU and 30 healthy controls (HCs) completed the data analysis. Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), pruritus visual analog score (VAS-P), Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) values were collected to assess clinical symptoms. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) analysis was used to assess relevant changes in the neural circuits of the brain. Compared to HCs, seeds within the caudal temporal thalamus (cTtha) on the right side of patients with CSU showed increased rs-FC with the cerebellum anterior lobe (CAL). Seeds within the lateral prefrontal thalamus (lPFtha) on the right side showed increased rs-FC with both CAL and pons, while those within the medial prefrontal thalamus (mPFtha) on the right side showed increased rs-FC with both CAL and the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) on the right side. Seeds within the posterior parietal thalamus (PPtha) on the right side showed increased rs-FC with the cerebellum posterior lobe (CPL) on the left side. The UAS7 values and IgE levels were positively correlated with the rs-FC of the right dlPFC. Our results suggest that patients with CSU may exhibit stronger rs-FC alterations between certain thalamic subregions and other brain regions. These changes affect areas of the brain involved in sensorimotor and scratching. Trial registration number [http://www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR1900022994].
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Affiliation(s)
- Leixiao Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zihao Zou
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Siyi Yu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xianjun Xiao
- College of Health Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunzhou Shi
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianhua Zheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Siyuan Zhou
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junpeng Yao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanli Deng
- Sichuan Second Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Sijue Chen
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Pingsheng Hao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Li
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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14
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Weng L, van Laarhoven AIM, Peerdeman KJ, Evers AWM. Induction and generalization of nocebo effects on itch. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:878-889. [PMID: 35000228 PMCID: PMC9304305 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nocebo effects, that is, negative treatment outcomes due to negative expectancies, can increase itch. Moreover, indirect evidence has shown that nocebo hyperknesis can generalize to another itch modality. Knowledge on response generalization can help to prevent and decrease negative effects. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the efficacy of inducing nocebo effects on cowhage‐evoked itch via verbal suggestions and (2) whether these effects can generalize to (2a) mechanically evoked touch and (2b) mechanically evoked itch. Forty‐four healthy participants watched a video suggesting that a nocebo solution increases cowhage‐evoked itch and that a control solution does not affect itch. Subsequently, cowhage, mechanical itch, and mechanical touch stimuli were applied. Nocebo effects were measured as the difference in both mean and peak of the outcomes itch and urge to scratch between nocebo and control trials. Main analyses revealed significant nocebo effects on mean and peak itch for all stimuli. For urge to scratch, a significant nocebo effect was only observed for mechanical touch (peak). As mechanical stimuli did not induce pure sensations as planned, posthoc sensitivity analyses were run for mechanical stimuli that individually induced either touch or itch at baseline. These analyses showed similar results for generalization to mechanical itch, but generalization to mechanical touch was non‐significant. This study showed that merely verbal suggestion can induce nocebo effects on cowhage‐evoked itch and that these effects can generalize to another itch modality. Future studies may examine how to prevent negative experiences from generalizing to subsequent encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Weng
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Antoinette I M van Laarhoven
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kaya J Peerdeman
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Medical Delta, Leiden University, Technical University Delft, Rotterdam University, the Netherlands
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15
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Weng L, van Laarhoven AIM, Peerdeman KJ, Evers AWM. Do individual psychological characteristics predict induction and generalization of nocebo and placebo effects on pain and itch? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:838578. [PMID: 35990075 PMCID: PMC9386339 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.838578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nocebo and placebo effects, i.e., adverse or beneficial treatment effects, respectively, putatively due to expectancies can modulate pain and itch. These effects can generalize within the pain or itch modality. Predicting the induction and generalization of these effects can be helpful in clinical practice. This study aims to investigate whether psychological characteristics related to the fear-avoidance model predict the induction and generalization of nocebo and placebo effects on pain and itch in young healthy participants. METHODS Data from two previous experiments were analyzed. In Experiment 1, we induced nocebo and placebo effects on heat pain and tested generalization to pressure pain and to cowhage-evoked itch (n = 33 in a nocebo group, n = 32 in a placebo group). In Experiment 2, we induced nocebo effects on cowhage-evoked itch and tested generalization to mechanical itch and to mechanical touch (n = 44). Potential predictors were anxiety- and stress symptoms, attention to pain/itch, and pain/itch catastrophizing. Multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS For nocebo effects, none of the individual psychological characteristics significantly predicted induction of nocebo effects nor their generalization. For placebo effects, only less stress symptoms, lower attention to pain, and higher pain catastrophizing weakly predicted a stronger generalization of placebo effects from heat pain to pressure pain. CONCLUSION The tested psychological characteristics may not play an important role in the induction and generalization of nocebo and placebo effects in healthy individuals. However, firm conclusions cannot be drawn with the current sample. Future studies should validate findings in larger and more diverse samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Weng
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Antoinette I M van Laarhoven
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kaya J Peerdeman
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Medical Delta, Leiden University, Technical University Delft, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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16
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Meeuwis SH, van Middendorp H, Veldhuijzen DS, Evers AWM. Associations Between Interindividual Differences, Expectations and Placebo and Nocebo Effects in Itch. Front Psychol 2021; 12:781521. [PMID: 34966334 PMCID: PMC8711701 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.781521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Placebo and nocebo effects are positive and negative health outcomes that can be elicited by the psychosocial context. They can be mediated by expectations, and may emerge in somatic symptoms even when people are aware of these effects. Interindividual differences (e.g., in personality, affective states) could impact placebo and nocebo responding, but findings are inconsistent. Methods: The current work examined expectation as a mediator of the association between verbal placebo and nocebo suggestions (VSs) and histamine-induced itch across three experimental studies. Moreover, we examined whether interindividual differences (e.g., in optimism, neuroticism, behavioral activation system (BAS), body ignorance) modulated: (1) the direct association between VSs and itch (direct moderation), and (2) the indirect, expectation-mediated association between VSs and itch (moderated mediation). Positive VSs were compared to neutral instructions (Study 1; n = 92) or negative VSs (Studies 2+3; n = 203) in an open-label (i.e., explaining placebo and nocebo effects) or closed-label (concealed) context using PROCESS. First, mediation of VSs effects on itch by expectations was tested. Next, moderation by individual traits was explored using conditional process analyses. Results: The effects of VSs on itch were significantly mediated by expectation in Study 1 and in the open-label (but not closed-label) contexts of Studies 2 and 3. Ignorance of bodily signals marginally moderated the direct effects of VSs on itch when closed-label suggestions were given: at low levels of body ignorance, effects of positive and negative VSs were stronger. Moreover, moderated mediation was observed in the open-label groups of Studies 2 and 3: The expectation-mediated effects of VSs on itch were stronger when BAS drive was lower. Conclusion: Overall, the effects of VSs on itch were mediated by expectations in the open-label, but not the closed-label context. Moreover, the current work suggests that placebo and nocebo effects may be moderated by ignorance of bodily signals and the BAS. There was limited evidence that other interindividual differences modulated placebo and nocebo responding in itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie H Meeuwis
- Pain Research Group, Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.,Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Henriët van Middendorp
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke S Veldhuijzen
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Medical Delta Healthy Society, Leiden University, Technical University Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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17
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Krefting F, Hölsken S, Schedlowski M, Sondermann W. [The effect of treatment expectations on pruritus and skin pain]. Schmerz 2021; 36:189-195. [PMID: 34705119 PMCID: PMC9156458 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-021-00600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hintergrund Patientenerwartungen in Bezug auf den Nutzen einer medizinischen Behandlung stellen eine wichtige Determinante für die Placeboantwort dar. Sie können Entwicklung und Verlauf von Erkrankungen sowie Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von Therapien maßgeblich beeinflussen. Die Mechanismen, die diese Placebo- und Noceboeffekte vermitteln, wurden bislang am besten auf dem Gebiet der Placeboanalgesie beschrieben. Aber auch in der Dermatologie findet sich eine zunehmende Evidenz dafür, dass verschiedene Symptome wie Schmerzen an der Haut und Pruritus (Jucken) sowie verschiedene dermatologische Erkrankungen durch die Behandlungserwartungen von Patienten moduliert werden können. Ziel der Arbeit Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Darstellung der aktuellen Datenlage in Bezug auf den Einfluss von Erwartungseffekten auf dermatologische Symptome wie Pruritus und Hautschmerzen sowie auf verschiedene dermatologische Erkrankungen. Schließlich soll die Bedeutung dieses Themas für Ärzte, die Patienten mit Hautsymptomen behandeln, vermittelt werden. Material und Methoden Es handelt sich um eine narrative Übersichtsarbeit. Ergebnisse und Diskussion Eine zunehmende Anzahl von Studien an gesunden Probanden und dermatologischen Patienten zeigt, dass Hautsymptome wie Pruritus und Schmerzen durch die Induktion positiver Erwartungen verringert und durch die Induktion negativer Erwartungen verstärkt werden können. Vorherige Behandlungserfahrungen der Patienten sowie die Qualität und Quantität der Arzt-Patienten-Kommunikation spielen für die Induktion der Behandlungserwartung eine zentrale Rolle. Schlussfolgerung Techniken, die darauf abzielen, positive Erwartungseffekte von Patienten mit Hautsymptomen zu maximieren und negative zu minimieren, sollten in die klinische Routine implementiert werden.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Krefting
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland
| | - S Hölsken
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensimmunbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland
| | - M Schedlowski
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensimmunbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Schweden
| | - W Sondermann
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.
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18
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Shi Y, Wang Y, Zeng Y, Zhan H, Huang S, Cai G, Yang J, Wu W. Personality differences in brain network mechanisms for placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia in experimental pain: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:371. [PMID: 33842592 PMCID: PMC8033354 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Placebo and nocebo responses have been increasingly gaining the attention of clinical and scientific researchers. Inconsistent conclusions from current studies indicate that different factors potentially affect both placebo and nocebo responses. Increasing evidence suggests that personality differences may affect the mechanisms of both two responses. In the present work, we explored the characteristics of neural signals of placebo and nocebo responses based on functional connectivity (FC) analysis and Granger causality analysis (GCA). Methods A total of 34 healthy participants received conditional induction training to establish placebo and nocebo responses. Every participant completed the following experimental workflow, including scanning of baseline, experimental low back pain model establishment, scanning of acute pain status, and scanning of placebo response or nocebo response. We collect visual analogue scale (VAS) data after each scanning. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from different personality groups were subjected to FC analysis and multivariate GCA (mGCA). Results Pain scores for placebo and nocebo responses were statistically different across different personality. There are also statistically differences in the neural signals of two responses across different personality. Conclusions The findings of the present study indicated that extroverted and introverted participants are likely to experience placebo analgesic effects and nocebo hyperalgesia effects, respectively. Both extroverted and introverted participants showed significant changes in brain networks under placebo response. Variation in emotional control and ventromedial prefrontal cortex inactivity may constitute the bulk of the personality differences in placebo analgesia. Differences in the regulation of the sensory conduction system (SCS) and release of the emotional circuit could be important factors affecting personality differences in nocebo hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongrui Zhan
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shimin Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiyuan Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianming Yang
- Department of Radiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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19
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Najafi P, Misery L, Carré JL, Ben Salem D, Dufor O. Itch Matrixes. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:636904. [PMID: 33718409 PMCID: PMC7943862 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.636904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peyman Najafi
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Laurent Misery
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Department of Dermatology, Brest, France
| | | | - Douraied Ben Salem
- Univ Brest, LATIM, INSERM UMR, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Department of Radiology, Brest, France
| | - Olivier Dufor
- Univ Brest, LIEN, Brest, France.,L@bISEN Yncréa Ouest, ISEN, Brest, France
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20
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Sondermann W, Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer F, Dissemond J, Pfaar O, Bingel U, Schedlowski M. Effects of Patients' Expectation in Dermatology: Evidence from Experimental and Clinical Placebo Studies and Implications for Dermatologic Practice and Research. Dermatology 2021; 237:857-871. [PMID: 33498052 DOI: 10.1159/000513445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients' expectations towards the benefit of a treatment are key determinants of placebo responses and can affect the development and course of medical conditions and the efficacy and tolerability of active medical treatment. The mechanisms mediating these placebo and nocebo effects have been best described in the field of experimental pain and placebo analgesia. However, also in dermatology experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that various skin diseases such as inflammatory dermatoses and allergic reactions can be modulated by patients' expectations. Dermatologists should consider the important modulatory role of patients' expectations on the efficacy and tolerability of specific treatments and the key role of verbal information, patients' prior treatment experiences (associative learning), and the quality and quantity of doctor-patient communication in shaping treatment expectation. As a consequence, techniques aiming at maximizing patients' expectation effects should be implemented into daily clinical routine. By contrast, in clinical studies expectation effects should be maximally controlled and harmonized to improve the "assay sensitivity" to detect new compounds. Further translational studies, also in dermatoses that have not been investigated yet, are needed to better characterize the mechanisms underlying patients' expectation and to gain further insights into potential clinical implications of these effects in dermatologic conditions. Therefore, in this review, we provide a brief overview on the concept of expectation effects on treatment outcome in general, summarize what is already known about this topic for dermatologic diseases, and finally present the relevance of this topic in clinical dermatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Sondermann
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany,
| | - Finja Reinboldt-Jockenhöfer
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joachim Dissemond
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Section of Rhinology and Allergy, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bingel
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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21
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Meeuwis SH, van Middendorp H, Lavrijsen APM, Veldhuijzen DS, Evers AWM. Open- and Closed-Label Placebo and Nocebo Suggestions About a Sham Transdermal Patch. Psychosom Med 2021; 83:33-42. [PMID: 32969962 PMCID: PMC7748039 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Placebo effects may occur when it is known that an inert substance is given (i.e., open-label placebo). It is not yet clear whether these effects are similar to concealed (i.e., closed-label) placebo effects for itch or whether nocebo effects can be induced under open-label conditions. METHODS Healthy volunteers (n = 112) were randomized to an open-label (I) or closed-label (II) positive suggestions group, or an open-label (III) or closed-label (IV) negative suggestions group. Participants were told, as cover story, that a transdermal caffeine patch would be applied that positively influences cognitive abilities and, as a side effect, positively or negatively (depending on group allocation) influences itch. Participants in the open-label groups were given a rationale explaining placebo and nocebo effect mechanisms. Itch (the primary outcome) was induced at baseline and postsuggestions by histamine iontophoresis. RESULTS Analyses of variance revealed significantly lower itch in the positive compared with the negative suggestions groups for both open- and closed-label contexts (all, p ≤ .008, Cohen d ≥ 0.47). Self-rated skin response was less severe after positive versus negative suggestions (all, p ≤ .017, Cohen d ≥ 0.33), but no effects on physical skin response were found (all, p ≥ .23, Cohen d ≤ 0.30). CONCLUSIONS Itch can be reduced by positive compared with negative suggestions under both open- and closed-label conditions. These findings indicate that open-label suggestions may potentially be a tool to use placebo effects for self-reported outcomes in clinical practice, for example, by explaining the role of expectancy in treatment. It needs to be investigated further under which circumstances an open-label rationale may impact placebo and nocebo effects.Trial Registration:www.trialregister.nl; NTR7174.
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22
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Najafi P, Dufor O, Ben Salem D, Misery L, Carré JL. Itch processing in the brain. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 35:1058-1066. [PMID: 33145804 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Itch is a sensation defined as the urge to scratch. The central mechanisms of itch are being increasingly studied. These studies are usually based on experimental itch induction methods, which can be classified into the following categories: histamine-induced, induction by other non-histamine chemicals (e.g. cowhage), physically induced (e.g. electrical) and mentally induced (e.g. audio-visual). Because pain has been more extensively studied, some extrapolations to itch can be proposed and verified by experiments. Recent studies suggest that the itch-processing network in the brain could be disrupted in certain diseases. This disruption could be related to the implication of new regions or the exclusion of already engaged brain regions from itch-processing network in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - O Dufor
- LIEN, Univ Brest, Brest, France.,LabISEN Yncréa Ouest ISEN, Brest, France
| | - D Ben Salem
- Univ Brest, LaTIM, INSERM, UMR 1101, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - L Misery
- LIEN, Univ Brest, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - J-L Carré
- LIEN, Univ Brest, Brest, France.,University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
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23
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Shi Y, Huang S, Zhan H, Wang Y, Zeng Y, Cai G, Yang J, Wu W. Personality Differences of Brain Networks in Placebo Analgesia and Nocebo Hyperalgesia: A Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Approach in fMRI. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8820443. [PMID: 33133178 PMCID: PMC7591942 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8820443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally believed that the placebo response can elicit an analgesic effect, whilst the nocebo response can elicit a hyperalgesia effect in pain. Placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia effects are increasing concerns for researchers. Growing evidence suggests personality differences have an impact on both placebo and nocebo effects. However, previous studies have not reached a unified conclusion. We designed this study to explore the personality differences of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals in placebo response and nocebo response by using psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis. 30 healthy subjects underwent conditioning induction training to establish expectations of placebo effect and nocebo effect, and then, all subjects completed the following experimental procedures: (1) baseline scanning, (2) acute pain model establishment, (3) pain status scanning, and (4) pseudorandom scanning of block design of placebo response or nocebo response. Behavioral data were collected after each scan. The results of this study showed that (1) there were significant differences of VAS placebo intervention between the extrovert group and the introvert group (p = 0.004); (2) there were significant differences of VAS nocebo intervention between the extrovert group and the introvert group (p = 0.011); (3) there were significant differences between the VAS placebo intervention and VAS pain status (baseline) in both the extrovert group (p < 0.001) and the introvert group (p = 0.001); (4) there were significant differences between the VAS nocebo intervention and VAS pain status (baseline) in both the extrovert group (p = 0.008) and the introvert group (p < 0.001). Moreover, there were significant differences in the brain network for placebo and nocebo responses between different personalities. We found that (1) deactivation differences of the pain-related network and limbic system play an important role in personality differences associated with placebo analgesia and (2) differences of control of anxiety and activation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may cause the personality differences observed in nocebo hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Shimin Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Hongrui Zhan
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Yanyan Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Guiyuan Cai
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Jianming Yang
- Department of Radiology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
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24
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Mueller SM, Carruthers HR, Navarini AA, Goldust M, Gysin S, Itin PH. Pruritic and antipruritic colors: An exploratory pilot study. Dermatol Ther 2020; 33:e13447. [DOI: 10.1111/dth.13447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon M. Mueller
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital Basel Basel Switzerland
| | | | | | - Mohamad Goldust
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital Basel Basel Switzerland
- University of Rome G. Marconi Rome Italy
- Department of Dermatology University Medical Center Mainz Mainz Germany
| | - Stefan Gysin
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital Basel Basel Switzerland
- Institute of Primary and Community Care Lucerne Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy University of Lucerne Lucerne Switzerland
| | - Peter H. Itin
- Department of Dermatology University Hospital Basel Basel Switzerland
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25
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Meeuwis SH, van Middendorp H, van Laarhoven AIM, van Leijenhorst C, Pacheco-Lopez G, Lavrijsen APM, Veldhuijzen DS, Evers AWM. Placebo and nocebo effects for itch and itch-related immune outcomes: A systematic review of animal and human studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:325-337. [PMID: 32240668 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Placebo and nocebo effects can influence somatic symptoms such as pain. For itch and other dermatological symptoms these effects have been far less investigated. This review systematically integrates evidence from both animal (mainly rodents) and human trials on placebo and nocebo effects in itch, itch-related symptoms and conditions of the skin and mucous membranes, and related immune outcomes (e.g., histamine). Thirty-one animal studies, and fifty-five human studies (k = 21 healthy participants, k = 34 patients) were included. Overall, studies consistently show that placebo and nocebo effects can be induced by various methods (e.g., suggestions, conditioning and social cues), despite high heterogeneity across studies. Effects of suggestions were found consistently across subjective and behavioral parameters (e.g., itch and scratching in humans), whereas conditioning was likely to impact physiological parameters under certain conditions (e.g., conditioning of histamine levels in stressed rodents). Brain areas responsible for itch processing were associated with nocebo effects. Future research may investigate how variations in methods impact placebo and nocebo effects, and whether all symptoms and conditions can be influenced equally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie H Meeuwis
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300RB, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Henriët van Middendorp
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300RB, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Antoinette I M van Laarhoven
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300RB, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Cora van Leijenhorst
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300RB, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gustavo Pacheco-Lopez
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300RB, Leiden, the Netherlands; Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM), Campus Lerma, Health Sciences Department, Lerma, 52005, Edo Mex, Mexico
| | - Adriana P M Lavrijsen
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke S Veldhuijzen
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300RB, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300RB, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
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26
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Hon KL, Loo S, Leung AKC, Li JTS, Lee VWY. An overview of drug discovery efforts for eczema: why is this itch so difficult to scratch? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:487-498. [PMID: 32050818 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1722639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of allergic/inflammatory dermatitis characterized by itch and an impairment in quality of life.Areas covered: Herein, the authors review drug discovery efforts for AD, highlighting the clinical efficacy of novel drugs, with a particular focus on the relief of pruritus. Topical agents include emollients, topical antihistamines, corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and herbs. Recently, topical phosphodiesterase E4 (PDE4) inhibitors like crisaborole have become available and are efficacious for mild to moderate AD with few side effects. For more severe AD, monoclonal antibodies like dupilumab are considered as efficacious subcutaneous treatment options. In severe and recalcitrant AD, systemic treatment can ameliorate AD symptoms.Expert opinion: Many topical and systemic medications have demonstrated therapeutic benefits for AD. Indeed, randomized trials have shown that topical PDE4 inhibitors and subcutaneous dupilumab are safe and efficacious. Objective tools to evaluate itch and gauge treatment efficacy is important, but current methodology relies primarily on clinical scores. AD is a systemic atopic disease with a lot of complicated psychosocial issues. Suboptimal efficacy is often due to poor compliance and unrealistic expectation of curative treatment, rendering treatment difficult despite the existence of effective medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam Lun Hon
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.,The Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Steven Loo
- The Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Alexander K C Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joyce T S Li
- Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Vivian W Y Lee
- Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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27
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Najafi P, Carré JL, Ben Salem D, Brenaut E, Misery L, Dufor O. Central mechanisms of itch: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. J Neuroradiol 2019; 47:450-457. [PMID: 31809769 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2019.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, studying the central mechanism of itch has gained momentum. However, a proper meta-analysis has not been conducted in this domain. In this study, we tried to respond to this need. A systematic search and a meta-analysis were carried out to estimate the central mechanism of itch. The itch matrix comprises the thalamus and the parietal, secondary somatosensory, insular and cingulate cortices. We have shown that the basal ganglia (BG) play an important role in itch reduction. Finally, we explored itch processing in AD patients and observed that the itch matrix in these patients was different. In conclusion, this is the first meta-analysis on the central mechanisms of itch perception and processing. Our study demonstrated that different modalities of itch induction can produce a common pattern of activity in the brain and provided further insights into understanding the underlying nature of itch central perception.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Luc Carré
- LIEN, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France
| | - Douraied Ben Salem
- LaTIM, Inserm UMR 1101, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France
| | - Emilie Brenaut
- LIEN, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France
| | - Laurent Misery
- LIEN, université Brest, 29200 Brest, France; University Hospital of Brest, 29200 Brest, France.
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28
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Evers AWM, Peerdeman KJ, van Laarhoven AIM. What is new in the psychology of chronic itch? Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:1442-1447. [PMID: 31246320 PMCID: PMC6973117 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Itch is often regarded as unpleasant or bothersome and is accompanied by symptoms of distress and impairments in daily life. The biopsychosocial model of chronic itch describes how psychological factors can contribute to the improvement or exacerbation of chronic itch and related scratching behaviour. Recent research underlines the important role of cognitive-affective information processing, such as attention, affect and expectancies. This may not only play a role for acute itch states, but may particularly apply to the process of itch chronification, for example, due to the vicious cycle in which these factors shape the experience of itch. The present paper focuses on new insights into the relation between itch and the cognitive-affective factors of attention, affect and expectancies. These factors are thought to play a possible aggravating role in itch in the long term and have received increasing attention in the recent empirical literature on maintaining and exacerbating factors for chronic physical symptoms. Possible psychophysiological and neurobiological pathways regarding these factors are discussed, as well as possible intervention methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea W. M. Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology UnitLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Kaya J. Peerdeman
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology UnitLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Antoinette I. M. van Laarhoven
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology UnitLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
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29
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Colloca L, Panaccione R, Murphy TK. The Clinical Implications of Nocebo Effects for Biosimilar Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1372. [PMID: 31849647 PMCID: PMC6895996 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nocebo effects encompass negative responses to inert interventions in the research setting and negative outcomes with active treatments in the clinical research or practice settings, including new or worsening symptoms and adverse events, stemming from patients' negative expectations and not the pharmacologic action of the treatment itself. Numerous personality, psychosocial, neurobiological, and contextual/environmental factors contribute to the development of nocebo effects, which can impair quality of life and reduce adherence to treatment. Biologics are effective agents widely used in autoimmune disease, but their high cost may limit access for patients. Biosimilar products have gained regulatory approval based on quality, safety, and efficacy comparable to that of originator biologics in rigorous study programs. In this review, we identified gaps in patients' and healthcare professionals' awareness, understanding, and perceptions of biosimilars that may result in negative expectations and nocebo effects, and may diminish their acceptance and clinical benefits. We also examined features of nocebo effects with biosimilar treatment that inform research and clinical practices. Namely, when biosimilars are introduced to patients as possible treatment options, we recommend adoption of nocebo-reducing strategies to avoid negative expectations, including delivery of balanced information on risk-benefit profiles, framing information to focus on positive attributes, and promoting shared decision-making processes along with patient empowerment. Healthcare professionals confident in their knowledge of biosimilars and aware of bias-inducing factors may help reduce the risk of nocebo effects and improve patients' adherence in proposing biosimilars as treatment for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Colloca
- Department of Pain Translational Symptom Science, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology/Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Remo Panaccione
- IBD Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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30
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Meyersburg D, Laimer M, Kugler A, Mühlthaler E, Lindlbauer N, Hitzl W, Rohde E, Bauer JW, Grabmer C. Single-use IgE-selective immunoadsorber column for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. J Clin Apher 2019; 35:50-58. [PMID: 31755575 PMCID: PMC7003837 DOI: 10.1002/jca.21759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disease with unmet therapeutic need in a critical cohort of recalcitrant cases. Immunoadsorption (IA) aims at an immunomodulatory depletion of pathogenic serum mediators and has recently revealed promising clinical results for the treatment of AD. Objective To determine efficacy, sustainability, safety, and clinical impact of IgE selective IA in AD using a single‐use IgE immunoadsorber column. Methods This open‐label pilot study comprised five patients (mean SCORAD 67.9 ± 11.4, range 52.2‐81.9; mean serum IgE level 5904 ± 5945 U/mL, range 1000‐15 600 IU/mL) who underwent IgE‐selective IA. Three patients continued prior therapy with systemic immunosuppressive drugs during IA as an add‐on therapeutic approach. All patients received three courses of IA. The first course consisted of three consecutive daily treatments followed by two sequences with two consecutive applications. All courses were performed on a monthly regimen. Results IA proved efficacy in selectively depleting serum IgE levels in all participants (mean reduction by cycle of 81% ± 12%, range 64%‐93%). It further led to a clinically relevant and sustained improvement of AD with a maximum decline in SCORAD and EASI scores by up to 35% and 52%, respectively, compared to baseline. Scores persisted below baseline for at least 12 weeks beyond the last IA. The intervention was also well tolerated with no severe adverse events during a total of 35 procedures. Conclusion Data of this preliminary trial indicates clinical efficacy, feasibility, safety as well as tolerability of IgE‐selective IA in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian Meyersburg
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Salzburg of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Laimer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Salzburg of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andrea Kugler
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Salzburg of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eva Mühlthaler
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Salzburg of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nadja Lindlbauer
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Hospital Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Hitzl
- Research Office (biostatistics), Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Research Program Experimental Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Eva Rohde
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Hospital Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Spinal Cord Injury & Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Johann W Bauer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Salzburg of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christoph Grabmer
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Hospital Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Butterfield JH. Survey of Mast Cell Mediator Levels from Patients Presenting with Symptoms of Mast Cell Activation. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2019; 181:43-50. [PMID: 31722348 DOI: 10.1159/000503964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although 4 mast cell mediators can be routinely measured, the results of initial testing to evaluate symptoms of mast cell activation have not been widely reported. OBJECTIVE We examined the results of mast cell mediator tests used to assess patients with mast cell activation symptoms during a 5-year time span. METHODS After excluding patients with alternative diagnoses, records of 108 patients were reviewed for initial mediator test results. Mediators included serum tryptase plus urinary N-methyl histamine (N-MH), leukotriene (LT)E4, and 11β-prostaglandin (PG) F2α or 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α (BPG). RESULTS Most commonly, either a single measured elevation of 1 mediator (48.1%) or elevations of 2 (33.3%) mediators was found at baseline, during symptoms or at both time points. Elevated levels of a single mediator in order of frequency were: BPG > tryptase > LTE4 > N-MH, and for two mediators: BPG + tryptase (n = 16 cases) > BPG + LTE4 (n = 9) > BPG + N-MH (n = 6). Elevations in 3 mediators (n = 8) or 4 mediators (n = 2) were much less frequent. Monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome (n = 6), and systemic and cutaneous mastocytosis (n = 4) were also infrequent. Baseline plus symptom-associated tryptase values were obtained in only 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS This survey suggests that elevations of 1 or 2 mediators are the most common (total 81.4% of cases) findings from initial tests for mast cell activation. Elevated levels of BPG were most commonly found both singly and in combination with other mediators, followed by the finding of elevated levels of tryptase. Baseline plus symptom-associated tryptase levels were measured in only a minority of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph H Butterfield
- Division of Allergic Diseases and Program for Mast Cell and Eosinophil Disorders, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA,
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Ishiuji Y. Addiction and the itch‐scratch cycle. What do they have in common? Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:1448-1454. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.14029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yozo Ishiuji
- Department of Dermatology The Jikei University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
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Schmid Y, Navarini A, Thomas ZRM, Pfleiderer B, Krähenbühl S, Mueller SM. Sex differences in the pharmacology of itch therapies-a narrative review. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 46:122-142. [PMID: 31299512 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic itch is the most common skin-related condition, associated with a high psychosocial and economic burden. In recent years, increasing evidence of sex differences in the perception, clinical presentation and treatment requirements of itch points towards potential benefits when using sex-adapted therapies. It is well-known that body composition, absorption, metabolism, elimination and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) differ between sexes, but only little is known about the impact of sex in the pharmacology of itch treatments, which could help to rationalise sex-adapted treatment strategies. AIM To evaluate and review sex effects in the pharmacokinetics and /-dynamics of drugs used to treat itch. METHODS In this narrative review we performed a PubMed and MEDLINE (Ovid) search using the terms (itch OR pruritus) AND (gender OR sex) AND (drug OR medication OR pharmacokinetics OR pharmacodynamics). Additional searches were performed for the topical and systemic drugs recommended by the European Guideline on Chronic Pruritus. RESULTS We found numerous reports with variable levels of evidence of sex effects with respect to the pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics of 14 drug classes used for the treatment of itch, including a total of 19 systemic and 3 topical drugs. Women seem to present higher plasma levels of several drugs used in itch treatment, including tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants (e.g. doxepin, amitriptyline, mirtazapine), serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine), immunosuppressive drugs (e.g. cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil), serotonin receptor antagonists (e.g. ondansetron) and betablockers (e.g. propranolol). Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were generally more common in women. Being female was reported to be an independent risk factor for QTc-prolongation associated with antihistamines and tetracyclic antidepressants. Additionally, women seem to be more prone to sedative effects of antihistamines, and to suffer from a higher frequency as well as severity of side effects with systemic calcineurin inhibitors, opioid agonists, and opioid antagonists. Women were also sensitised more often to topically applied drugs. Of note, apart from only one experimental study with capsaicin, none of these reports were designed specifically to assess the effect of sex (and gender) in the treatment of itch. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Our review supports previous reports that sex is of importance in the pharmacokinetics and /-dynamics of several drugs used to treat itch although those drugs were mostly evaluated for non-itch indications. However, the results are limited by methodological limitations evident in most studies such as underrepresentation of women in clinical trials. This emphasises the need to study the impact of sex (and gender) in future itch trials to yield better outcomes and prevent ADRs in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Schmid
- Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Bettina Pfleiderer
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Münster and Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Germany; Competence Center Chronic Pruritus (KCP), University of Muenster, Germany
| | - Stephan Krähenbühl
- Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simon M Mueller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland.
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Wolters F, Peerdeman KJ, Evers AW. Placebo and Nocebo Effects Across Symptoms: From Pain to Fatigue, Dyspnea, Nausea, and Itch. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:470. [PMID: 31312148 PMCID: PMC6614509 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Placebo and nocebo effects are, respectively, the helpful and harmful treatment effects that do not arise from active treatment components. These effects have thus far been researched most often in pain. It is not yet clear to what extent these findings from pain can be generalized to other somatic symptoms. This review investigates placebo and nocebo effects in four other highly prevalent symptoms: dyspnea, fatigue, nausea, and itch. The role of learning mechanisms (verbal suggestions, conditioning) in placebo and nocebo effects on various outcomes (self-reported, behavioral, and physiological) of these different somatic symptoms is explored. A search of experimental studies indicated that, as in pain, the combination of verbal suggestion and conditioning is generally more effective than suggestion alone for evoking placebo and nocebo effects. However, conditioning appears more and verbal suggestions less relevant in symptoms other than pain, with the exception of placebo effects on fatigue and nocebo effects on itch. Physiological measures, such as heart rate, lung function, or gastric activity, are rarely affected even when self-reported symptoms are. Neurobiological correlates are rarely investigated, and few commonalities appear across symptoms. Expectations generally predict placebo and nocebo effects for dyspnea and itch but seem less involved in fatigue and nausea. Individual characteristics do not consistently predict placebo or nocebo effects across symptoms or studies. In sum, many conclusions deriving from placebo and nocebo pain studies do appear to apply to other somatic symptoms, but a number of important differences exist. Understanding what type of learning mechanisms for which symptom are most likely to trigger placebo and nocebo effects is crucial for generalizing knowledge for research and therapies across symptoms and can help clinicians to optimize placebo effects in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Wolters
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kaya J. Peerdeman
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Andrea W.M. Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Min S, Kim KW, Jung WM, Lee MJ, Kim YK, Chae Y, Lee H, Park HJ. Acupuncture for Histamine-Induced Itch: Association With Increased Parasympathetic Tone and Connectivity of Putamen-Midcingulate Cortex. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:215. [PMID: 30914919 PMCID: PMC6423085 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that acupuncture is effective for ameliorating itch intensity. However, factors associated with the antipruritic effects of acupuncture have yet to be clarified. In a randomized, sham-controlled, crossover trial, we investigated the antipruritic effects of acupuncture against histamine-induced itch in healthy volunteers. Autonomic changes using heart rate variability (HRV) and brain connectivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were also assessed to identify physiological factors associated with the acupuncture response. Acupuncture significantly reduced itch intensity and skin blood perfusion as assessed by laser Doppler perfusion imaging compared to sham control, indicating the antipruritic effects of acupuncture. In responder and non-responder analysis, the power of normalized high frequency (HF norm) was significantly higher, while the power of normalized low frequency (LF norm) and LF/HF ratio were significantly lower in responders compared to non-responders, suggesting the acupuncture response involved parasympathetic activation. In fMRI analysis, the putamen and the posterior part of the midcingulate cortex (pMCC) were positively connected to itch and negatively correlated with itch intensity in responders. These results suggest that parasympathetic activity and functional connectivity of the putamen and pMCC could be associated with antipruritic response to acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seorim Min
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Koh-Woon Kim
- Department of Korean Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won-Mo Jung
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min-Jung Lee
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu-Kang Kim
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyangsook Lee
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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Meeuwis SH, van Middendorp H, van Laarhoven AIM, Veldhuijzen DS, Lavrijsen APM, Evers AWM. Effects of Open- and Closed-Label Nocebo and Placebo Suggestions on Itch and Itch Expectations. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:436. [PMID: 31293458 PMCID: PMC6598628 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Placebo and nocebo effects have been shown to influence subjective symptoms such as itch. These effects can be induced by influencing outcome expectations through, for example, combining the application of an inert substance (e.g., a cream) with verbal suggestions on the anticipated effects of this substance. Interestingly, placebo effects also occur when it is known that a treatment is inert (i.e., open-label placebo). However, no study to date has examined the efficacy of negative and positive verbal suggestions under similar open-label and closed-label (i.e., concealed placebo/nocebo) conditions in itch. A randomized controlled between-subjects study design was applied in which healthy volunteers (n = 92) were randomized to 1) an open-label positive verbal suggestion group, 2) a closed-label positive verbal suggestion group, 3) an open-label negative verbal suggestion group, or 4) a closed-label negative verbal suggestion group. Verbal suggestions were made regarding the topical application of an inert substance. Itch was evoked experimentally by histamine iontophoresis at baseline and again following suggestions. Itch expectations, self-reported itch during and following iontophoresis, and skin response parameters were measured. Positive suggestions were found to result in significantly lower expected itch than were negative suggestions in both open- and closed-label conditions. No effects of the suggestions on itch during iontophoresis were found, but significantly lower itch was reported in the 4 min following iontophoresis in the (combined open- and closed-label) positive compared with negative verbal suggestion groups. In addition, a smaller increase in skin temperature was found in the positive compared with negative suggestion groups. The findings illustrate a potential role of (open- and closed-label) placebo for optimizing expectations and treatment effects for itch in clinical practice. Clinical Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Register, trial number: NTR6530.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie H Meeuwis
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Henriët van Middendorp
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Antoinette I M van Laarhoven
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke S Veldhuijzen
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Chacón MR, Enrico DH, Burton J, Waisberg FD, Videla VM. Incidence of Placebo Adverse Events in Randomized Clinical Trials of Targeted and Immunotherapy Cancer Drugs in the Adjuvant Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2018; 1:e185617. [PMID: 30646278 PMCID: PMC6324542 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Several reports have associated the placebo effect with objective response and improvement of a clinical condition in oncology, but only a few studies have analyzed the adverse events (AEs) in the placebo groups of the clinical trials. OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of placebo AEs reported in randomized clinical trials of modern cancer drugs in the adjuvant setting. DATA SOURCES Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline, a systematic literature search of English-language publications from January 1, 2000, through April 15, 2018, was performed using MEDLINE (PubMed). The following search terms were used to retrieve all trials from the PubMed library: adjuvant, maintenance, consolidation, and placebo, in addition to specific cancer type-related keywords. STUDY SELECTION A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 design was mandatory for study inclusion. Only studies enrolling patients who had undergone macroscopically complete resections were included. No other anticancer treatments in addition to placebo were allowed in the control group. Only trials involving a targeted therapy (tyrosine kinase, BRAF, or MEK inhibitors) or immunotherapy-related drugs were included. Trials using chemotherapy, interferon, and endocrine therapy were excluded. Two authors (D.H.E. and F.D.W.) independently reviewed the studies for inclusion. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data were extracted by investigators, and random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the proportion of grade 3 to 4 placebo AEs in the included studies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Incidence of grade 3 to 4 placebo AEs in the placebo groups. RESULTS Of 731 studies screened, 10 eligible trials were found including 4 tumor types (melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and renal cell carcinoma). Overall, 11 143 patients (6270 [56.3%] in the treatment group with mean [SD] age of 55.6 [4.2] years and 4873 patients [43.7%] in the placebo group with mean [SD] age of 55.9 [4.3] years) were included. The mean incidence of any-grade placebo AEs was 85.1% (95% CI, 79.2%-91.0%). The most frequent (mean [SD]) grade 3 to 4 placebo AEs in patients were hypertension (2.8% [2.2%]), fatigue (1.0% [0.9%]), and diarrhea (0.8% [0.6%]). The overall, random-effects pooled incidence of grade 3 to 4 placebo AEs was 18% (95% CI, 15%-21%), with a high level of heterogeneity (I2 = 86%). Frequency of grade 3 to 4 placebo AEs was found to be correlated in the treatment and placebo groups (ρ = 0.7; P = .03). Mean study drug discontinuation owing to placebo AEs was 3.9% (95% CI, 2.7%-5.2%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Placebo administration was associated with a substantial incidence of grade 3 to 4 placebo AEs in modern cancer adjuvant trials. This finding should be considered by investigators, sponsors, regulatory authorities, and patient support groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías Rodrigo Chacón
- Research Department, Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego Hernán Enrico
- Research Department, Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jeannette Burton
- Research Department, Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Viviana Marina Videla
- Research Department, Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Kristensen LE, Alten R, Puig L, Philipp S, Kvien TK, Mangues MA, van den Hoogen F, Pavelka K, Vulto AG. Non-pharmacological Effects in Switching Medication: The Nocebo Effect in Switching from Originator to Biosimilar Agent. BioDrugs 2018; 32:397-404. [PMID: 30269270 PMCID: PMC6182448 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-018-0306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The nocebo effect is defined as the incitement or the worsening of symptoms induced by any negative attitude from non-pharmacological therapeutic intervention, sham, or active therapies. When a patient anticipates a negative effect associated with an intervention, medication or change in medication, they may then experience either an increase in this effect or experience it de novo. Although less is known about the nocebo effect compared with the placebo effect, widespread interest in the nocebo effect observed with statin therapy and a literature review highlighting the nocebo effect across at least ten different disease areas strongly suggests this is a common phenomenon. This effect has also recently been shown to play a role when introducing a medication or changing an established medication, for example, when switching patients from a reference biologic to a biosimilar. Given the important role biosimilars play in providing cost-effective alternatives to reference biologics, increasing physician treatment options and patient access to effective biologic treatment, it is important that we understand this phenomenon and aim to reduce this effect when possible. In this paper, we propose three key strategies to help mitigate the nocebo effect in clinical practice when switching patients from reference biologic to biosimilar: positive framing, increasing patient and healthcare professionals' understanding of biosimilars and utilising a managed switching programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Erik Kristensen
- Parker Institute, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg og Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rieke Alten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Schlosspark Klinik, University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis Puig
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Philipp
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tore K Kvien
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Frank van den Hoogen
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek and Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Arnold G Vulto
- Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms of nocebos are still poorly understood. Thirty-eight women participated in a ‘smell study’ using functional magnetic resonance imaging. They were presented with an odorless stimulus (distilled water) together with the verbal suggestion that this fluid has an aversive odor which enhances disgust feelings. The nocebo was presented while the participants viewed disgusting, fear-inducing, and neutral images. Participants’ affective and neuronal responses during nocebo administration were compared with those in a control condition without nocebo. Twenty-nine women (76%) reported perceiving a slightly unpleasant and arousing odor. These ‘nocebo responders’ experienced increased disgust during the presentation of disgusting images in combination with the nocebo and showed enhanced left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) activation. It has been suggested that the OFC is involved in the generation of placebo/nocebo-related expectations and appraisals. This region showed increased functional connectivity with areas involved in interoception (insula), autobiographical memories (hippocampus), and odor imagery (piriform cortex) during nocebo administration. The nocebo-induced change in brain activation was restricted to the disgust condition. Implications for psychotherapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Schienle
- Clinical Psychology, University of Graz, BioTechMedGraz, Universitätsplatz 2/DG, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Carina Höfler
- Clinical Psychology, University of Graz, BioTechMedGraz, Universitätsplatz 2/DG, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Sonja Übel
- Clinical Psychology, University of Graz, BioTechMedGraz, Universitätsplatz 2/DG, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Albert Wabnegger
- Clinical Psychology, University of Graz, BioTechMedGraz, Universitätsplatz 2/DG, 8010, Graz, Austria
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Evers AWM. Using the placebo effect: how expectations and learned immune function can optimize dermatological treatments. Exp Dermatol 2018; 26:18-21. [PMID: 27489170 PMCID: PMC6680268 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The role of placebo and nocebo effects-that is positive or negative treatment effects that are entirely a consequence of the patient's expectations and beliefs about a treatment outcome in terms of efficacy, safety, usability or side effects-has been shown for almost all types of diseases and physiological response systems. Evidence for the relevance of placebo and nocebo effects in dermatology is also increasing, particularly for symptoms of itch and learned (conditioned) immune function. In addition, increasing knowledge is available about the neurobiological mechanisms of action, such as the role of the dopaminergic system. Studies on this topic offer innovative perspectives to unravel the multifactorial pathways of treatment effects and to use research designs for experimental research that provide full insight into the role of placebo and nocebo effects. Moreover, intervention strategies can be developed for dermatology practice that optimize regular treatments with innovative non-pharmacological treatment strategies (e.g. optimized doctor-patient communication and treatment adherence, or prevention of nocebo reactions with regard to adverse side effects). In addition, evidence on learned immune function offers new pathways to optimize pharmacological treatments (e.g. dosage adjustments and conditioning of physiological responses), the ultimate goal being to prevent individual treatment failures and maximize regular treatment effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Takeuchi S, Oba J, Esaki H, Furue M. Non-corticosteroid adherence and itch severity influence perception of itch in atopic dermatitis. J Dermatol 2017; 45:158-164. [PMID: 29168215 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.14124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Topical corticosteroid phobia is an important problem in the treatment of atopic dermatitis as it can affect the ability to control disease severity and itch by reducing treatment adherence. Topical corticosteroid phobia often ends up even non-corticosteroid adherence. As such, non-corticosteroid adherence, disease severity and itch are likely to be associated with each other, but their relationship has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate it in atopic dermatitis. Using data from 1190 participants in an Internet survey, we identified 255 non-corticosteroid users and 225 with moderate to severe itch who were defined as non-corticosteroid adherents. Corticosteroid users with the same itch categories (n = 878) served as controls. We also examined how itch severity affects the perception of itch in atopic dermatitis. Unexpectedly, non-corticosteroid adherents were less sensitive to the conditions to elicit itch such as perspiring, commuting homeward, drinking alcohol and wearing woolen clothes compared with the control. We also found that patients with severer itch were more sensitive to itch during/after bathing, when lying in bed, commuting homeward, studying/working, drinking alcohol, undressing, getting up in the morning, after a meal, ingesting piquant foods and when they were unoccupied, angry, busy, nervous, sad or enjoying themselves. In conclusion, we found that non-corticosteroid adherence and itch severity influence perception of itch in atopic dermatitis and discuss possible mechanisms underlying these results. The information obtained in this study may be useful for communication with and education of atopic dermatitis patients and their treatment in outpatient clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Takeuchi
- Department of Dermatology, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Hamanomachi Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Junna Oba
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hitokazu Esaki
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masutaka Furue
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Nocebo-induced modulation of cerebral itch processing - An fMRI study. Neuroimage 2017; 166:209-218. [PMID: 29107770 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown repeatedly that perceiving itch-related pictures or listening to a lecture on itch can enhance itch sensation and scratching behaviour (Niemeier and Gieler, 2000; Holle et al., 2012; Lloyd et al., 2013), indicating that itch is strongly influenced by expectations. Using fMRI, we investigated the neural correlates of the itch-related nocebo effect in healthy male and female human subjects. Itch sensation on the left forearm was induced by cutaneous histamine application and thermally modulated, with cooling leading to higher itch. Nocebo-induced aggravation of histaminergic itch was achieved by ostensibly treating volunteers with "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)" about which subjects were instructed that it would increase itch. During a conditioning phase subjects indeed experienced stronger itch due to slightly altered cooling and histamine concentrations, but attributed it to the alleged "TENS stimulation". Importantly, in the subsequent test phase where no "TENS" or electrical stimulation was applied, volunteers significantly reported stronger itch during the nocebo as compared to the control condition. Comparing BOLD responses during nocebo in contrast to control, we observed increased activity in contralateral (right) rolandic operculum. Opercular involvement was repeatedly reported in studies related to the expectation of stimulus intensification and might thus represent an early area integrating expectation information with somatosensory information. Finally, functional coupling between the insula and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) was enhanced specifically in the nocebo condition. This cortex-PAG interaction indicates that context-dependent top-down modulation during itch might represent a shared mechanism with other modalities such as pain.
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Bartels DJP, van Laarhoven AIM, Stroo M, Hijne K, Peerdeman KJ, Donders ART, van de Kerkhof PCM, Evers AWM. Minimizing nocebo effects by conditioning with verbal suggestion: A randomized clinical trial in healthy humans. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182959. [PMID: 28910291 PMCID: PMC5598922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nocebo effects, i.e., adverse treatment effects which are induced by patients' expectations, are known to contribute to the experience of physical symptoms such as pain and itch. A better understanding of how to minimize nocebo responses might eventually contribute to enhanced treatment effects. However, little is known about how to reduce nocebo effects. In the current randomized controlled study, we tested whether nocebo effects can be minimized by positive expectation induction with respect to electrical and histaminic itch stimuli. First, negative expectations about electrical itch stimuli were induced by verbal suggestion and conditioning (part 1: induction of nocebo effect). Second, participants were randomized to either the experimental group or one of the control groups (part 2: reversing nocebo effect). In the experimental group, positive expectations were induced by conditioning with verbal suggestion. In the control groups either the negative expectation induction was continued or an extinction procedure was applied. Afterwards, a histamine application test was conducted. Positive expectation induction resulted in a significantly smaller nocebo effect in comparison with both control groups. Mean change itch NRS scores showed that the nocebo effect was even reversed, indicating a placebo effect. Comparable effects were also found for histamine application. This study is the first to demonstrate that nocebo effects can be minimized and even reversed by conditioning with verbal suggestion. The results of the current study indicate that learning via counterconditioning and verbal suggestion represents a promising strategy for diminishing nocebo responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. P. Bartels
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Antoinette I. M. van Laarhoven
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Michiel Stroo
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kim Hijne
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kaya J. Peerdeman
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - A. Rogier T. Donders
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Andrea W. M. Evers
- Unit Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Mueller SM, Hogg S, Mueller JM, McKie S, Itin P, Reinhardt J, Griffiths CE, Kleyn CE. Functional magnetic resonance imaging in dermatology: The skin, the brain and the invisible. Exp Dermatol 2017; 26:845-853. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon M. Mueller
- Department of Dermatology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
- Dermatology Centre; The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre; The University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | - Samuel Hogg
- Department of Dermatology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - Jannis M. Mueller
- Department of Neurology; Kantonsspital Muensterlingen; Muensterlingen Switzerland
| | - Shane McKie
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry Unit; The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre; The University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | - Peter Itin
- Dermatology Centre; The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre; The University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | - Julia Reinhardt
- Division of Diagnostic & Interventional Neuroradiology; University Hospital Basel; Basel Switzerland
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Popadić S, Gajić-Veljić M, Prćić S, Mijušković Ž, Jovanović D, Kandolf-Sekulović L, Nikolić M. National Guidelines for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis. SERBIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/sjdv-2016-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Popadić
- Clinic of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Department of Dermatovenereology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana Gajić-Veljić
- Clinic of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Department of Dermatovenereology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sonja Prćić
- Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Željko Mijušković
- Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Military Medical Academy, Department of Dermatovenereology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Jovanović
- Department of Dermatovenereology, Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Clinical Center Niš, School of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Lidija Kandolf-Sekulović
- Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Military Medical Academy, Department of Dermatovenereology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miloš Nikolić
- Clinic of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Department of Dermatovenereology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Chavarria V, Vian J, Pereira C, Data-Franco J, Fernandes BS, Berk M, Dodd S. The Placebo and Nocebo Phenomena: Their Clinical Management and Impact on Treatment Outcomes. Clin Ther 2017; 39:477-486. [PMID: 28237673 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This overview focuses on placebo and nocebo effects in clinical trials and routine care. Our goal was to propose strategies to improve outcomes in clinical practice, maximizing placebo effects and reducing nocebo effects, as well as managing these phenomena in clinical trials. METHODS A narrative literature search of PubMed was conducted (January 1980-September 2016). Systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and case series that had an emphasis on placebo or nocebo effects in clinical practice were included in the qualitative synthesis. Search terms included: placebo, nocebo, clinical, clinical trial, clinical setting, placebo effect, nocebo effect, adverse effects, and treatment outcomes. This search was augmented by a manual search of the references of the key articles and the related literature. FINDINGS Placebo and nocebo effects are psychobiological events imputable to the therapeutic context. Placebo is defined as an inert substance that provokes perceived benefits, whereas the term nocebo is used when an inert substance causes perceived harm. Their major mechanisms are expectancy and classical conditioning. Placebo is used in several fields of medicine, as a diagnostic tool or to reduce drug dosage. Placebo/nocebo effects are difficult to disentangle from the natural course of illness or the actual effects of a new drug in a clinical trial. There are known strategies to enhance clinical results by manipulating expectations and conditioning. IMPLICATIONS Placebo and nocebo effects occur frequently and are clinically significant but are underrecognized in clinical practice. Physicians should be able to recognize these phenomena and master tactics on how to manage these effects to enhance the quality of clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Chavarria
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Adiccions (INAD), Parc de salut Mar (PSM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - João Vian
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Department, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Círia Pereira
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Department, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Data-Franco
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Departamento de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Brisa S Fernandes
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia; Laboratory of Calcium Binding Proteins in the Central Nervous System, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia; University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Seetal Dodd
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia; University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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50
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[Psychological aspects of pruritus and therapy options]. Hautarzt 2016; 67:622-6. [PMID: 27341824 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-016-3825-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides biological factors, which cause or influence chronic pruritus, more and more attention has recently also been paid to psychological and psychoneuroimmunological factors which uphold the symptom. OBJECTIVES This review article gives an overview of the state of research regarding psychological and psychoneuroimmunological factors and the resulting therapeutic options. MATERIALS AND METHODS The article is based on a literature search in the PubMed database. RESULTS Under experimental conditions, pruritus can be induced by verbal instructions and modulated by placebo and nocebo effects. Stressful life events can also induce pruritus or its exacerbation. This can also be demonstrated on a cellular level. CONCLUSION The knowledge that pruritus intensity is modulated by cognitions, behavioral factors, and stress is important for the development and application of psychological interventions. More research should be done regarding psychological interventions in the treatment of chronic itch and they should be applied clinically more often.
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