Comorbidities and Healthcare Utilization in 4197 Patients With Prurigo Nodularis in Israel: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Analysis

Background: Prurigo nodularis patients face a significant burden of comorbidities, necessitating a comprehensive approach to care. We aimed to explore the association between prurigo nodularis, its comorbid conditions, and healthcare usage patterns. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the computerized medical data of Clalit Health Service, the largest health maintenance organization in Israel. We extracted data on all database members with prurigo nodularis between the years 2000 and 2022. Data was gathered from various sources, including primary care and hospital reports, as well as laboratory and imaging analyses. We compared 4197 prurigo nodularis patients with 40,771 matched controls (age, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for comorbidities. Healthcare utilization and medication claims were also analyzed. Results: This study involved 4197 prurigo nodularis patients. Prurigo nodularis showed strong associations with various cutaneous and systemic comorbidities, mainly atopic dermatitis (odds ratio [OR] 5.74, 99.5% confidence interval [CI]: 4.85–6.80, p < 0.001), chronic renal failure and dialysis (OR 1.41, 99.5% CI: 1.15–1.72, p < 0.001), as well as a myriad of mental health disorders. Prurigo nodularis patients exhibited increased healthcare utilization and medication claims. Conclusions: This study highlights the substantial comorbidity burden in prurigo nodularis patients, emphasizing the need for a holistic care approach. The study also underscores the importance of psychological screening and highlights the burden that prurigo nodularis and its associated disorders place on healthcare utilization. Future studies that include further research into prurigo nodularis pathogenesis and treatment strategies considering its systemic associations are warranted.