he Influence of Academician Franjo Kogoj on Global Dermatology

Academician Franjo Kogoj graduated medicine in 1920 in Prague, where he then pursued training in dermatovenerology. During later years, he also visited other dermatology clinics in Europe, where he collaborated with renowned dermatologists of the time, such as in Breslau (present day Wroclaw in Poland) with Josef Jadassohn and in Strasbourg with Lucien-Marie Pautrier. He was also active in the famous Saint-Louis hospital in Paris. Academician Kogoj's scientific interests were especially focused on allergies, exanthemas, skin tuberculosis, and keratodermas. Kogoj was very active in defining a precise and useful terminology for various dermatological conditions, where the terminology was in many ways confusing and often overlapping, such as in cases of eczema and dermatitis. Kogoj performed experimental studies of allergic reactions in eczema and atopic dermatitis and introduced the term pruridermatitis (Pruridermatitis allergica chronica) into dermatological terminology instead of the name neurodermitis and other synonyms essentially describing atopic dermatitis (endogenous eczema, prurigo-asthma, prurigo Besnier). Academician Kogoj managed to define Mal de Meleda as a separate form of hereditary keratoderma and was engaged in the clinical symptomatology, serology, and therapy of syphilis, whereby he emphasized the so-called "critical moment" in the treatment of syphilis. Academician Kogoj's most famous scientific achievement was his histological definition of the spongiform pustule in the pathomorphology of psoriasis, which became a groundbreaking histological novelty in the classification of psoriasis, thus bearing Kogoj's name in the medical literature to this date. Academician Kogoj published many scientific and professional articles, books, monographs and contributions to manuals and textbooks. He was honored nationally as well as internationally as a leading expert in the field of medicine and dermatology, receiving many eminent awards and recognitions throughout his scientific career.

Pruritic rash and nocturnal itching

UV light illuminated the patient's diagnosis.

Psychopathology Associated with Chronic Pruritus: A Systematic Review

There are no previous studies of the psychopathology associated with different aetiologies of chronic pruritus. A systematic review was performed of cohort and case-control studies comparing healthy controls with patients with chronic pruritus related to primary dermatoses, systemic diseases, psychogenic pruritus, idiopathic pruritus, prurigo nodularis and/or lichen simplex chronicus. The review was registered in PROSPERO and performed according to the PRISMA statement, which allowed the inclusion of 26 studies. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Most of the studies concern primary dermatoses and systemic diseases. Sleep disorders are a common comorbidity interrelated with pruritus, anxiety and depressive symptoms, in primary dermatoses. Sleep disorders are linked with pruritus and depressive symptoms in end-stage renal disease and hepatobiliary disease. Depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with psychogenic pruritus. Psychogenic pruritus, lichen simplex chronicus and some primary dermatoses are linked with personality characteristics. Further studies are required to explore in depth the psychopathology linked with psychogenic pruritus and prurigo nodularis, as well as psychopathology linked with other primary dermatoses and systemic disorders associated with chronic pruritus, and to better differentiate psychogenic pruritus from psychopathological characteristics linked with other aetiologies of chronic pruritus, in order to improve the management of patients with chronic pruritus.

Clinical aspects and management of chronic itch

Chronic pruritus (CP) (ie, itch that persists for more than 6 weeks) poses significant challenges to patients' health and quality of life. It is a common reason for visits to dermatologists and general practitioners and can be caused by a range of conditions, including systemic diseases such as chronic kidney disease or liver diseases, malignancies, neuropathic conditions, and dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis. CP often does not develop in parallel with the course of the disease and can become an entity of its own, which must be treated with antipruritic drugs, even if the underlying cause is already under therapy. Depending on the etiology of CP, different pathways in the pathogenesis have been analyzed recently, following which new treatments have been developed and tested in randomized controlled trials. This article discusses the recent results of these studies and highlights how best to manage health care for patients with CP.

[Prurigo nodularis]

Prurigo nodularis. Prurigo nodularis is the most severe degree of chronic prurigo. Disseminated nodules (mostly on the 4 members) are associated with skin excoriations and an intense pruritus. Whatever the etiology, prurigo nodularis is autonomous disease which is related to itch sensitization (similar to pain sensitization). The burden is high. A management with different levels is recommended and the opinion of a dermatologist is frequently required. Research gives promising therapeutic perspectives.

Impact of sedative and non-sedative antihistamines on the impaired productivity and quality of life in patients with pruritic skin diseases

BACKGROUND

The impairment that pruritic skin diseases have on patient productivity at work, in the classroom, and in daily activities is substantial and needs to be characterized. The objective of this study was to determine how pruritic skin diseases impact patient productivity and quality of life (QOL), in order to improve the measurement of these endpoints to allow the influence of treatment options including sedative and non-sedative antihistamines to be analyzed.

METHODS

The impact of pruritic skin diseases and the effect of antihistamine therapy on work, classroom, and daily productivity were evaluated using the Work Productivity Assessment Index-Allergy Specific Questionnaire. The intensity of itch and patient QOL were assessed using a visual analogue scale and Skindex-16, respectively.

RESULTS

Pruritic skin diseases resulted in significant impairment of work, classroom, and daily productivity. The severity of overall work impairment in atopic dermatitis (AD), urticaria, and prurigo was higher than for other diseases analyzed. However, classroom activity was more adversely affected in patients with urticaria relative to other diseases. All pruritic diseases in this study negatively impacted daily activity to a similar degree. Impaired productivity was significantly improved in patients taking non-sedative antihistamines for 1 month, and the improvements correlated with the alleviation of itch and improved QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that pruritic skin diseases reduce patient productivity at work, in the classroom, and during daily activities, and that non-sedative antihistamines may offer an advantage over sedative antihistamines for alleviating certain negative consequences of these skin diseases.