The main symptoms that impacted the sleep of patients with skin disease were itching and burning sensations or tingling .

Almost half of all patients with skin disease report sleep disturbances, finds new research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2023 in Berlin.

The ALL PROJECT analyzed data on more than 50,000 adults across 20 countries to assess the impact of skin diseases. They found that almost half (42%) of patients with skin disease experienced sleep disturbances, and nearly half (49%) of patients with skin disease reported reduced productivity at work, in contrast with just one in five (19%) participants without skin disease. 

The main symptoms that impacted the sleep of patients with skin disease were itching (60%) and burning sensations or tingling (17%).  Additionally, patients more frequently experienced feeling fatigued as soon as they woke up (81% vs 64% in the non-skin disease population), periods of drowsiness during the day (83% vs 71%), tingling sensations in the eyes (58% vs 42%) and repeated yawning (72% vs 58%) than those who did not have a skin disease.

 "Our study is the first to uncover the profound impact of sleep disturbances on the physical functioning of patients with skin disease, and these findings underscore the critical need for early detection and effective management of sleep disturbances," says Lead author, Dr. Charles Taieb, the research director at European Market Maintenance Assessment in Paris, which arranged and managed the ALL Project, in a news release.

Study author Dr. Bruno Halioua, a dermatologist in Paris, adds, "Moving forward, healthcare providers should be encouraged to integrate sleep disturbance questions into the examinations of patients with skin conditions to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of skin diseases."

Living with HS

The ALL PROJECT study also investigated the impact of living with hidradenitis suppurativa.  Findings from the study showed that 77% of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa reported a feeling of stigmatization due to their condition, with 58% experiencing ostracization or rejection from others. More than half of patients reported that people avoided touching them (57%) and approaching them (54%) because of their condition. 

These experiences led to significant consequences for patients, impacting their self-perception, relationships, and daily lives.

 Patients with reported feelings of stigmatization were more likely to avoid taking selfies (52%), compared with those without the condition (84%), and tended to control their appearance whenever they passed in front of a mirror (72% vs 34%). Nearly 79% of patients who exhibited poor adherence to therapy also reported a feeling of stigma. 

Dr Halioua explains, "The stigmatization associated with this condition profoundly impacts patients' lives and can perpetuate a vicious cycle of isolation and nonadherence to treatment. The study highlights the need for immediate action, including public education efforts to increase understanding and improved access to tailored healthcare and support services for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa."