OBJECTIVES:

The epidemiology and economic burden of prurigo nodularis (PN) is poorly defined in the UK. This non-interventional, retrospective, cohort study assessed the prevalence, patient characteristics and healthcare resource utilization associated with PN in England.

METHODS:

This study identified newly diagnosed adult PN patients (aged≥18 years at diagnosis) with a confirmed PN diagnosis, as defined by having at least one record with a diagnostic code (Read/SNOMED-CT/ICD-10) in either the Clinical Practice Research Datalink database (GOLD and Aurum) or Hospital Episode Statistics between 1^st April 2007 and 1^st March 2019 (identification period). Patients were included if their first PN diagnostic code (index) was recorded during the identification period, with data available 6 months pre- and ≥12 months post-index. Prevalence of PN for 2019 was calculated. Healthcare resource utilization was evaluated based on general practitioners (GPs) and out-patient dermatology-ward (OPD) visits.

RESULTS:

A total of 8933 patients (57% females, mean age ± standard deviation: 61 ± 17 years) with a PN diagnosis were included in the analysis. The prevalence was 8.8 patients/10,000 persons. In the first year of diagnosis, the mean rate of GP attendance and OPD visits was 15.35/patient/year (PPY) (standard error [SE]:0.04) and 3.99PPY (SE:0.02), respectively. During 2-5 years post-index PN diagnosis, the mean visit rate to GPs increased marginally (16.8PPY, SE:0.03), while the mean visit rate to OPD reduced (1.67PPY, SE:0.01). Among patients who visited OPD, the mean visit rate was 8.05PPY (SE:0.04) in the first year and 2.83PPY (SE:0.02) during 2-5 years after PN diagnosis; more patients required an OPD visit in the first year (49.6% versus 32.7%, 2-5 years after diagnosis).

CONCLUSIONS:

The PN prevalence was consistent with other European studies. The outpatient healthcare needs were the highest in patients’ first year of PN diagnosis; a significant proportion of patients required continued specialist care in subsequent years.